A bill passed by the House Tuesday that aims to increase the penalties on protesters convicted of blocking traffic and public transit now heads to the Senate. Democratic Representative Rena Moran of St. Paul says there appears to be a racial component to the bill. She says to those supporting the bill “spending time in jail is your solution to black men, unarmed black men getting shot.” Republican Representative Peggy Bennett of Albert Lea responds that she is “frankly offended that myself and we are being accused of not caring, of racism and all kinds of things because we’re telling people that they cannot go block a freeway.” The bill would increase the penalty for protestors blocking traffic from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor. It’s not clear whether Governor Dayton would sign or veto the bill if it reaches his desk.