Adopt Ordinance #21-10 Prohibiting Targeted Picketing in Residential Neighborhoods

Some Minnesota cities have recently adopted ordinances prohibiting targeted picketing in residential areas, while others have had them for years based on incidents that occurred in their cities.  The City of Ramsey currently has no ordinances that prohibit targeted picketing in residential areas and have had no recent examples of this. Targeted picketing can be disruptive to neighborhoods and escalate to violence and criminal acts by those picketing and those opposing picketers. Examples of persons that have been targeted with picketing include doctors at their homes for performing abortions, elected officials for their view/vote on an issue, corporate executives for their companies product use in animal testing, police officers, union leaders, etc.  Targets of picketers include both public and private persons based on their occupation or position.

Targeted picketing in residential neighborhoods is not regulated in MN State Statutes. However, local ordinances prohibiting residential and targeted picketing have been upheld by MN Appeal Courts and the US Supreme Court to be constitutional.

1.   Adopt ordinance Ordinance #21-10 prohibiting Targeted Picketing in Residential Neighborhoods.
2.   Do not adopt Ordinance #21-10
3.   Make amendments to Ordinance #21-10

N/A.  Part of staff duties.

Staff recommends Adopting attached Ordinance #21-10

Adopt Ordinance #21-10, creating Section 133 of Ramsey City Code Chapter 34, Article IV, entitled - Targeted Picketing in Residential Neighborhoods.