Is it illegal to read the US constitution in public? What are the police obligated to do in that situation?

Question

I have seen reports that some people are being arrested for reading the constitution in a public place. Is it illegal to do so?

On October 2nd, 2007 in Washington DC, members of Code Pink gathered on a sidewalk for a peaceful protest to the "Vets for Freedom" rally at Upper Senate Park.

One member was arrested by police after reading the United States Constitution. Police refused to reveal what charges the person was being detained under.

In a similar event in London, Charity Sweet, aged 40 was questioned by police and entered into an anti-terror database after reading an anti-war newspaper headline.

In October 2005, yet another womanMaya Anne Evans, 25, was found guilty of breaching Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.

She was arrested in October after reading out names of soldiers killed in Iraq at central London's Cenotaph.

Today in New York City, protesters are permitted only to voice their dissent at designated "free speech" zones within the city. Does that mean that only certain parts of New York are under the jurisdiction of the United States Constitution?

Answer 1

You must be supporting Hillary Clinton, I think if she is elected, the attempt will be made to abolish and re-write our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Answer 2

Article between the U. S. shape, area 8, clause 18, states that "The Congress shall have potential to make all regulations which would be needed and proper for donning into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all different Powers vested by potential of this shape interior the government of the U. S., or in any branch or Officer thereof." in fact, the government can do what it desires to do to do what it desires to do. this might incorporate becoming a police rigidity. as long as a results of fact the government does not infringe on the human beings's rights granted (and implied) by potential of the amendments to the form or another provision enumerated interior the form, they could hit upon a fashion. i'm particular there's an better diagnosis that could desire to offer you extra documents, yet it relatively is the gist of it. Edit: As for the states, the answerer above have been given it. as long as its not inconsistent with the federal shape, the states can do what they could do, too.

Answer 3

You can't be arrested for reading the Constitution, but if you are demonstrating or causing a disturbance in a public building (such as a City hall, etc.) you can get into trouble. It's the same as some sidewalk preachers and the like. In our city, you have to have a permit to do things like that.

Answer 4

Ummm. no.

Freedom of speech and it is the US Constitution.

It is illegal to disturb the peace. So if someone is shouting the us constitution and disrupting something or screaming it at a city hall meeting or something they could likely be charged with that or a similar crime.

Answer 5

No, it's not. But if they're doing it while disturbing the peace (say, through a megaphone, and in that case, the loudness and not the message is what's illegal), or demonstrating without a permit or something, then it might be illegal. But it's not illegal to read it in public.

I don't know where people get these ideas from.

Answer 6

No, not illegal. Just a little annoying if someone does it out loud in an inappropriate place. Disturbing the peace for being loud maybe, but not for the material.

Answer 7

I have never heard of such a thing! Are you sure of your sources? The US Constitution is what this country is based on. To not be able to read it in public would be...well Un-American!

Answer 8

WHAT???? That's crazy talk. You cannot be arrested for reading the constitution in the USA

Answer 9

Why don't you tell us where you saw "some reports"?