California Bans Threatening Noose Displays

California law already bans threatening displays of swastikas and burning crosses [on someone else’s property or at a school or workplace]. Now add nooses to the list.

On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation making such displays punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

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[The bill was introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Wilma Carter] after noose hangings were displayed in several Halloween decorations last year. Two such displays were effigies of then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, will not ban displays by a homeowner, which are considered constitutionally protected speech.