New York Outlaws Display of Nooses as Means of Intimidation
Any person after October 31, 2008 who etches, paints, draws or otherwise places or displays a noose on any private or public building or other real property without the express permission of the owner or operator of such building or real property with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm another person because of a belief or perception regarding such person’s race, color, national origin, gender, religion, religious practice, age disability or sexual orientation shall be guilty of the crime of aggravated harassment in the first degree. Aggravated harassment in the first degree is a E-Felony punishable by up to four years in prison. [PL§240.31 ] The bill was sponsored by Senator Skelos (S6499) and Assemblyman Lentol (A9480) . Governor David A. Paterson announced he signed the bill into law on May 15, 2008. The bill was drafted in response to the Jena Six incident.
