Advocates Share Firsthand Experiences with Abusive Preemption Legislation

Across the country, state legislatures are increasingly abusing preemption to undermine a healthy democracy and harm people, perpetuating harmful, oppressive systems that exclude BIPOC, LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and working people. Preemption occurs when a higher level of government (such as a state legislature) restricts or withdraws the authority of a lower level of government (such as a city council) to act on a particular issue. 

The legislative tool has been used across issue areas and in nearly every state – and its presence is increasing. That’s why leaders working on many different causes are coming together to map its impact and help the public understand the dangers of abusive preemption. In this video – the first in a series of clips that spotlight many different aspects of abusive preemption – advocates, researchers, and experts share the ways that they’ve seen firsthand how abusive preemption has harmed local communities. 

Thanks to the following leaders for participating in this video: Francesca Menes, David Chincanchan, Mikal Goodman, Ben Winig, Delishia Porterfield, Fran “Hutch” Hutchins, Randy Perez, Maria Robalino, Michael Whitesides, Katie Belanger, Jennifer Epps-Addison, Cristine Soto DeBerry, Eric Tars, Seth DiStefano, Hannah Alexander