Disturbing the peace in the city council chamber.
New Orleans City Code § 54-408
in effectSec. 54-408. - Disturbing the peace in the city council chamber.
(a) Disturbing the peace in the city council chamber is the doing of any of the following acts during any official meeting in such a manner as would forseeably disturb the orderly procedure of such council meeting:
(1) Interfering by any spectator with the right of any person to lawfully address the city council.
(2) Displaying of any signs or placards constructed or supported in whole or part of or by wood or metal or displaying of any signs or placards greater than 18 inches in width by a spectator seated in the council chamber or displaying of any signs or placards by a spectator seated in the chamber above the spectator's shoulders or taping, tacking, nailing, or stapling any signs to the walls of the chamber. The restrictions contained in this subsection shall not apply to signs or placards used as demonstrative evidence by a speaker while lawfully addressing the council nor shall the requirements that signs or placards not be displayed at a height above the spectator's shoulders apply to persons seated in the last row of the chamber or to persons standing with their back to the walls of the chamber. The restrictions of this subsection pertaining to the taping, tacking, nailing, or stapling of any signs to the walls of the chamber shall not apply to informational signs installed by the city government nor to demonstrative evidence or other material specifically authorized to be attached to the walls of the chamber by the council.
(3) Moving or walking around the council chamber for purposes of photographing, taking video or sonic recording of or broadcasting live the proceedings of the city council. The restrictions of this subsection shall not apply to persons seated in the last row of the chamber, to persons standing along the back wall of the chamber, or to those who are acting in compliance with the rules and regulations of the council.
(4) Engaging in audible commentary unless having been recognized to speak by the chair.
(5) Refusing to take a seat or to remain silent or to take a seat and remain silent when ordered to do so by any authorized official of the council.
(6) Commission of any other act in such manner as to unreasonably disturb the orderly procedure of the council.
(b) Whoever commits the act of disturbing the peace in the city council chamber shall be fined the sum of $50.00 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days.
(Code 1956, § 42-78; M.C.S., Ord. No. 24808, § 1, 3-15-12)
Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH54CRCO_ARTVIOFAFPUGE_DIV4OFAGGEPEOR_S54-408DIPECOCHFetched: 10/28/2026