DC Council Passes Three Bills of ACLU Interest

On Tuesday, November 23, the D.C. Council passed, on "first reading," three bills of interest to the ACLU.

Over our opposition, the Council passed Bill 18-63, the “Residential Tranquility Amendment Act of 2010,” which would make it a crime for three or more persons to conduct a completely peaceful, quiet, non-threatening demonstration in front of someone’s residence if the demonstration takes place at night, or if the demonstrators wear masks, or if they have not provided the police with advance notice of the demonstration. For more details, please read our letter to the Council on Bill 18-63.  We will try to have amendments introduced at second reading.

The Council also passed Bill 18-425, a comprehensive revision of the District's antiquated disorderly conduct laws. We strongly supported this bill, although we supported a few amendents that were not made.  Details are here.

The Council also passed Bill 18-893, the Anti-SLAPP Act.  A “SLAPP” is a “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation” -- an abusive lawsuit filed for the purpose of deterring people from participating in public discussion and debate. We strongly supported this bill as well.  Details are here.