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Council accepts local law removing imprisonment for some demonstration and parade-code violations
Summary
The council accepted Proposed Local Law No. 2 of 2026 to remove imprisonment from Chapter 98 (demonstrations) and Chapter 151 (parades) and to codify exceptions for spontaneous demonstrations; commissioners said implementation details will be resolved with the Attorney General's office and further work is expected.
The Saratoga Springs City Council voted to accept Proposed Local Law No. 2 of 2026, which removes imprisonment as a possible penalty from two sections of the city code and adds provisions addressing spontaneous demonstrations.
Commissioner Cole described the measure as part of work tied to an Article 78/Attorney General review and said the law would "remove the penalty of imprisonment from chapter 98 ... entitled demonstrations and from chapter 151 ... entitled parades" while codifying limited exceptions for spontaneous events. After discussion and public comment, the council voted 5-0 to accept the proposed law.
Supporters of the change and council members said the measure reflects ongoing collaboration with the Attorney General's office and that staff and councilors will work through implementation details in the coming months. The city will return with revised language and procedural steps as needed before final adoption or subsequent readings.
