How to Protest a City Curfew

Many cities throughout the United States have city curfew laws. Most of these laws are geared toward teenagers and are used as a means to cut down on truancy, to prevent crime and to discourage gang activity. While city curfew laws are generally seen as an effective, preventative measure against crime, they are occasionally viewed as an infringement on one's civil liberties.

Instructions

1. Learn your constitution rights. Join the American Civil Liberties Union or another organization that is dedicated to protecting the civil liberties of individuals. Organizations such as these offer guidance and instructions to individuals with grievances related to civil liberties.

2. Decide which of your rights is violated by the imposition of a city curfew. In order to determine if you have a legitimate reason to contest a city curfew law, you must have some reason as to why your constitutional rights are being limited by curfew enforcement. One common reason is that city curfew laws violate the right of parents to rear their children free from undesirable government intrusion. Another common reason is to protect the rights of innocent teenagers traveling legitimately at night.

3. Dispute the curfew citation in your local city court. If you feel as though you have been discriminated against or treated unfairly, dispute the citation in court.

4. Attend a City Council meeting to voice your concern. City curfews are ordinances that each individual city establishes. If you are unhappy with the laws and legislature adopted by your city, voice your concerns at a City Council meeting.

5. Gather community support for the issue. If you feel that your concerns are not being heard or addressed, the First Amendment protects your right to free speech as well as your right to assemble and to petition the government to hear your grievances. Protest and petition local government officials to change or abolish the city curfew laws.

6. Obtain the support and advice of a civil liberties attorney if you are unsure of your rights regarding city curfew laws.