Federal Judge Rules Against Ferguson ‘5-Second Rule’
Demonstrators protesting the shooting death of Michael Brown walk down the street on August 18, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Protesters have been vocal asking for justice in the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on August 9th. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – A federal judge has ruled against the ‘5-second rule,’ meaning the city of Ferguson cannot enforce or threaten to enforce “any rule, policy, or practice” that allows law enforcement the authority to arrest, threaten to arrest, or move protesters who are “peaceably standing, marching, or assembling on public sidewalks.”
U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry ruled that protesters who are not violating statutes, ordinances, or regulations are free to protest on the public sidewalks of Ferguson.
In August, law enforcers told those protesting the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson that they had to remain moving at all times – staying still no longer than five seconds – or face the possibility of arrest.
The American Civil Liberties Union sued to have the rule thrown out.
Earlier this month, Perry issued a preliminary injunction halting the 5-second rule tactic, saying it violates protesters’ constitutional rights.
Click here to view the entire consent judgement.
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