North Carolina bill increasing punishments for rioters will become law after no governor veto

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will allow a bill increasing penalties for rioters to become law after deciding against blocking the piece of legislation — a move he made in 2021.

Though Cooper said he would not veto the bill, he announced he would allow the legislation to become law without his signature, according to The Associated Press. The decision means Cooper will potentially delay an override from state lawmakers as the legislature has become more Republican since his 2021 veto. 

Cooper's choice not to veto the bill irritated social justice advocates who claim the measure restricts the right to protest and free speech, despite only increasing penalties for violent rioters and not peaceful protesters.