Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed legislation making it a crime to knowingly approach within 25 feet of a police officer while they are “engaged in law enforcement duties” after the officer has ordered the person to stay back.

Critics of a new Louisiana law, which makes it a crime to approach within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of a police officer under certain circumstances, fear that the measure could hinder the public’s ability to film officers — a tool that has increasingly been used to hold police accountable.

Under the law, anyone who is convicted of “knowingly or intentionally” approaching an officer, who is “lawfully engaged in the execution of his official duties,” and after being ordered to “stop approaching or retreat” faces up to a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail or both. The law was signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, Tuesday and goes into effect Aug. 1.

While the legislation’s language does not specifically mention filming, critics say that by default it would limit how close a person can be to observe police. Opponents have also gone further to question the law’s constitutionality, saying it could impede on a person’s First Amendment rights.

  • scops@reddthat.comEnglish
    842·
    7 months ago

    I can’t wait for someone to try to justify fleeing the police with this law. “Officer, you were executing your official duties. I was trying to obey the law by staying 25 feet from you but you kept pursuing me!”

    Guess I’ll cross New Orleans off my list of possible vacation destinations. Not a big fan of voluntarily entering police states.

    • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
      343·
      7 months ago

      Guess I’ll cross New Orleans off my list of possible vacation destinations.

      It’s funny because, as a person from outside the USA, I know a lot of people who have decided to do that with the USA as a whole!

            • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
              2·
              7 months ago

              I’m sure there are plenty of people who know exactly what’s going on in the USA and that decide not to care and still go. Hell, I know pro choice people who still travel to red States that have banned abortions every winter because they’re not ready to give up on something they like.

              • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
                1·
                7 months ago

                You could inform them that California has the good winter weather as well. Heck if a few more of them go to Arizona, we might permanently flip that state blue.