Protest Laws by State
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Kellie Pantekoek, Esq. | Last updated June 08, 2020
In the United States, you have the right to assemble and peacefully protest against the government as you see fit. Derived from the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, you can assemble and engage in peaceful protest in a public space. That means sidewalks, streets, public squares, and parks, just to name a few.
Yet along with that right, the government can place reasonable restrictions on your speech activities known as “time, place, and manner” restrictions. One such example is requiring you to have a demonstration permit before a large group assembles to march down a major public street or when a gathering of protesters agree to march on Washington D.C. during a contentious presidential inauguration. These types of restrictions are considered “reasonable” because the Supreme Court has found they are not based on the content of the speech.
Each state has its own form of protest laws designed to spell out the demonstration permit process and provide criminal penalties for violations of peaceful protest laws. Keep in mind, individual municipalities and cities may have their own ordinances related to marches, demonstrations, or protests. Speak with a local attorney or contact the city in which you plan to protest to learn more.
Protest Laws by State Overview
Below you will find key information on protest test laws by state including examples of demonstration permit procedures from key cities. Not all citiies have the same requirements, even if located in the same state. Contact city officials in the location you wish to protest to learn more. Finally, you should always follow the lawful order of a peace officer while exercising your right to free speech.
State |
Public Property Protest/Demonstration Permit Information (By Major City) |
Unlawful Assembly State Code |
Failure to Disperse State Code |
Alabama |
Birmingham Traffic Engineering Department
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Alaska |
Anchorage
Parks and Recreation Department
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Arizona |
Phoenix City Manager’s Office/Parks and Recreation Department
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Arkansas |
Little Rock
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California |
Los Angeles Special Events Permit Unit (SEPU) within Emergency Operations Division of the Los Angeles Police Department
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Colorado |
Denver Denver Parks and Recreation (For public assemblies of 50 or more people at Denver public parks and recreation facilities)
Colorado Division of Central Services (For Colorado State Capitol and Lincoln Park)
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Connecticut |
Bridgeport
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Delaware |
Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation
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District of Columbia |
Mayor's Special Events Task Group
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Florida |
Jacksonville:
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Georgia |
Atlanta
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Hawaii |
Honolulu Department of Transportation Services
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Idaho |
Boise
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Illinois |
Chicago
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Indiana |
Indianapolis Business and Neighborhood Services & Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
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Iowa |
Des Moines
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Kansas |
Wichita Division of Arts & Cultural Services
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Kentucky |
Louisville Louisville Metro Emergency Services
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Louisiana |
New Orleans City of New Orleans' One Stop Shop
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Maine |
Portland: Public Assembly Facilities Division
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Maryland |
Baltimore: Department of Recreation and Parks Office
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Massachusetts |
Boston
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Michigan |
Detroit
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Minnesota |
Minneapolis
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Mississippi |
Jackson
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Missouri |
Kansas City
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Montana |
Billings
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Nebraska |
Omaha
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Nevada |
Las Vegas
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New Hampshire |
Manchester
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New Jersey |
Newark
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New Mexico |
Albuquerque
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New York |
New York City New York Police Department, City of New York
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North Carolina |
Charlotte Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, City of Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT)
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North Dakota |
Fargo City of Fargo Police Department
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Ohio |
Columbus
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Oklahoma |
Oklahoma City
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Oregon |
Portland Portland Bureau of Transportation
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Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia
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Rhode Island |
Providence City of Providence Special Event Planning
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South Carolina |
Columbia
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South Dakota |
Sioux Falls
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Tennessee |
Memphis
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Texas |
Houston Mayor’s Office of Special Events
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Utah |
Salt Lake City
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Vermont |
Burlington
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Virginia |
City of Virginia Beach Special Events and Film Production Office
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Washington |
Seattle
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West Virginia |
City of Charleston
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Wisconsin |
Milwaukee
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Wyoming |
Cheyenne
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· Same |
Note: State laws are always subject to change, usually through the enactment of new legislation but also through court decisions and other means. Contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Questions About Protest Laws? Speak with an Attorney
If you are thinking of applying for a permit to peacefully protest and need help sorting out all the red tape, you may want to consult an attorney in your state to help guide you through the paperwork and make sure you are meeting all deadlines. A civil rights attorney can assist you with city regulations, explain the law, and help you if you are arrested for a protest-related violation.
Next Steps
Contact a qualified civil rights attorney to help you protect your rights.