HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 138 Targeted Residential PicketingCity of Gem Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota
Targeted Picketing
Ordinance No. 138
AN ORDINANCE DEFINING AND REGULATING TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING
Section 1. Findings and Purpose. The City Council finds that:
a. The city of Gem Lake has an interest in safeguarding the right of its residents to enjoy, in their home and
dwelling, a feeling of well-being, tranquility, and privacy; and
b. Targeted residential picketing in front of or about a residential dwelling causes emotional distress to the dwelling
occupants, obstructs and interferes with the free use of public rights -of -way and has as its object the harassment
of the dwelling occupants; and
c. Without resorting to targeted residential picketing, ample opportunities exist for those otherwise engaged in
targeted residential picketing to exercise constitutionally protected freedom of speech and expression; and
d. The protection and preservation of the home is the keystone of democratic government; the public health and
welfare and the good order of the community require that members of the community enjoy, in their homes and
dwellings, a feeling of wellbeing, tranquility and privacy and, when absent from their homes and dwellings, carry
with them the sense of security inherent in the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes
and dwellings; the practice of picketing before or about residences and dwellings causes emotional disturbance
and distress to the occupants, obstructs and interferes with the free use of public sidewalks and public ways of
travel; such practice has as its object the harassing of such occupants and, without resort to such practice, full
opportunity exists, and under the terms and provisions of this section, will continue to exist for the exercise of
freedom of speech and their constitutional rights; and that the provisions hereinafter enacted are necessary for the
public interest to avoid the detrimental results herein set forth.
Section 2. Definitions. When used in this Ordinance, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the following
meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
a. Targeted Residential Picketing.
1. Marching, standing, patrolling or other similar activities by one or more persons directed at a particular
residential dwelling in a manner that adversely affects the safety, security, or privacy of an occupant of
the dwelling; or
2. Marching, standing, patrolling or other similar activities by one or more persons which prevents or
hinders an occupant of a residential dwelling from gaining access to or exiting from the property on
which the residential dwelling is located.
Section 3. Prohibition. No person shall engage in targeted residential picketing within the city.
Section 4. Penalty. Every person convicted of a violation of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 6. Severability. Should any section, subdivision, clause or other provision of this Ordinance be held to be invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole, or of any
part thereof, other than the part held to be invalid.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication.
Dated: June 21, 2022
APPROVED: ATTEST:
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Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor
Melissa Lawrence, Acting City Clerk