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Amending Title 10-613 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," prohibiting certain racially insensitive conduct in public places including the wearing of "blackface," all under certain terms and conditions.

AI summary

This bill, currently in committee, would amend the Philadelphia Code to prohibit certain racially insensitive conduct in public places, including wearing blackface, under specified circumstances involving intimidation, threats, or concealing a person's identity. It would impose a fine of at least $75 and, for a violation while marching in a public parade, a suspension from marching for at least five years; it states that constitutionally protected speech would not be punished.

File details

Status
IN COMMITTEE
Introduced
January 23, 2020
Sponsors
Cindy BassJamie GauthierDarrell L. ClarkeMaria D. Quiñones-SánchezDavid OhKendra BrooksKenyatta JohnsonMark SquillaKatherine Gilmore RichardsonCurtis Jones, Jr.
View official record ↗

Full text

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity,” is amended as follows:

TITLE 10. REGULATION OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT AND ACTIVITY

CHAPTER 10-600 PUBLIC PLACES-PROHIBITED CONDUCT

§

10-613 Concealed Identities and racially insensitive conduct

.

(1)

No person shall, with the specific intent to intimidate or threaten another person, or with the specific intent to hide one’s identity during the commission of lawful activity wear a mask,

blackface

, hood or other device or means of hiding, concealing, or covering any portion of the face [for the purpose of concealing their identity] on public property or private property in this City without the express written permission of the owner or occupier of the property.

(2) This section shall not be construed to punish constitutionally protected speech.

(3) A person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $75.00.

(4)

A person who violates section 1, specifically marching in a public parade, shall be suspended from marching in a public parade for no less than five years.

(5) Black Face shall be defined as a form of theatrical make-up used predominately by non-black performers to represent a caricature of a black person, and which is generally considered offensive to African Americans.

SECTION 2. This bill shall take effect immediately.

___________________________________

Explanation:

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End

File history

Sometimes city council's record keeping is not complete. This timeline reflects the information on the council's legistar website.
  1. Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Introduced and Referred