23 OCT 2218
VIOLENT PROTESTS ERUPT AFTER CONGRESS PASSES CONTROVERSIAL BILL
TO EXHILE HYBRIDS FROM MARTIAN CITIES
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ANTI-HYBRID PROTESTERS CLASH WITH PROTECTORATE FORCES NEAR THE ARCH CIRCLE LAST NIGHT. THE VIOLENCE ERRUPTED AFTER A BILL WAS PASSED THAT WOULD SEE HYBRIDS EXHILED FROM MARTIAN CITIES BY YEAR'S END. PHOTO RANGER CORP.
At a rally late last year, the growing trend of human physical augmentation (HPA) was described by Governor Halpert Kane as "an ever-expanding cult of bodily deformation, and the scourge of our society". Kane went on to blame the media for normalizing HPA, and presented some lengthy statistics on how the escalating crime rates in 3/4 of the Martian cities are attributable largely to Hybrids.
While many have called for prompt action to combat these statistics, others have questioned the accuracy of the claims, with several industry leaders - including Wendy Tam of TamTech(C) - accusing the Governor of harboring a fascist agenda against the shrinking Hybrid community. Her outspoken condemnation of the Governor came on the same night that a record number of international bonds were stolen from the Io Bank, a robbery attributed to the illusive and yet-to-be-identified Hybrid Thief.
PROTESTER HOLDING PLACKARD WITH ANTI-HYBRID SENTIMENT, WELCOMING THE BILL. OTHER SIGNS READ "HYBRIDS ARE AN ABOMINATION" AND "KANE WILL SAVE US". PROTESTERS DISPERSED BY CORP SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT. PHOTO MIZ FISHER.
With growing pressure on the Protectorate, by twelve Governors lead by Kane, a new bill was passed in the House that would make Hybrids an illegal entity on Mars. It was passed today, sparking the unrest. This comes almost 6 years to the day that legislation was passed that prohibits an individual from being classified as Homo sapien when they surpass a liberal threshold of 50% non-organic material; instead distinguishing them as an independent species Homo hybrid.
Pro- and anti-legislation activists clashed this evening outside the court house in the Arche Circle. The Ranger Corp arrived promptly to diffuse the protests, but their presence simply escalated the unrest. M-class (MyoStat) Rangers were eventually called and the evening ended with most protesters in custody, injured, or fleeing the scene.
The bill is to be contested before year's end.
Samson Carmichael, M4 correspondent.
