Mardi Gras Under Fire: Lawmakers Look to Criminalize Throws

Recent incidents along New Orleans parade routes are sparking swift legislative action from lawmakers, which would impact Mardi Gras krewes across the state. Following accusations that riders intentionally targeted protesters with aggressive throws, authorities forced several floats to empty their riders mid-parade.

This sudden controversy has led to a major push in Baton Rouge to officially criminalize certain parade throws and penalize participants. Representatives are swiftly drafting legislation aimed at specifically punishing riders accused of improperly throwing from floats.

Is This Premature Legislative Reaction To Mardi Gras Parades?

The rapid push to create new criminal statutes is being viewed by many as a completely premature response to highly isolated incidents. While the altercations, including one involving protesters, were undoubtedly alarming...drafting broad criminal laws based on a handful of chaotic moments could severely disrupt statewide traditions.

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Creating new criminal codes for parade throws is widely considered a knee jerk reaction that fails to address the actual logistics of policing massive crowds. The proposed legislation could introduce complex legal wording that could unfairly penalize standard parade activities under the guise of public safety. Especially with float riders wearing masks, which could make identifying accused riders difficult, if not impossible.

Current Louisiana Law Already Addresses Parade Route Liability

This legislative rush ignores seems to ignore the fact that existing state statutes already provide significant frameworks for dealing with malicious behavior during the carnival season. Law enforcement already possesses the necessary tools to arrest individuals who commit assault or battery along any parade route.

Current Louisiana law explicitly protects Mardi Gras krewes and their riders from general civil liability, provided their actions do not cross into deliberate or malicious intent to cause harm. The existing legal shield ensures that standard parade operations can continue safely without the need for redundant and potentially damaging criminal laws...protecting both the organizations and the public.

If someone is aggressively throwing something at someone with malicious intent, the state already has laws to address that. Including the existing law that specifically leaves open the ability to punish those who cross the line. This probably isn't a time for new laws, just enforcement of existing laws.