Walk It Through: The Protest And The Council
A march into traffic, an order to disperse, a council meeting, and a records request.
A march leaves the sidewalk and blocks the street to make a point.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One protest and its aftermath. March permits and local rules on streets and parks, the constitutional rights to assemble and speak, and the remedies for a meeting held in violation are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Command to disperseThe command, in the name of the State of Oregon, that the sheriff and deputies, or a mayor or chief executive officer of a city, may give when five or more persons are unlawfully assembled. If they do not immediately disperse, they may be arrested for any unlawful activity constituting an offense.
- Disorderly conduct in the second degreeFighting or violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior, unreasonable noise, disturbing a lawful assembly, or obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public way, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk of it. A Class B misdemeanor.
- RiotParticipating with five or more other persons in tumultuous and violent conduct that intentionally or recklessly creates a grave risk of causing public alarm. A Class C felony.
- Executive sessionA session of a governing body closed to the public, held for subjects the law lists after the presiding officer identifies the authority for it. News media representatives may generally attend.
- Special meetingA meeting of a governing body other than a regular one, which needs at least 24 hours' notice. An emergency meeting may be held on less, but its minutes have to describe the emergency.