NEW ORLEANS – Calling the law unconstitutional and discriminatory, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana today sent a letter to the Shreveport City Council urging the city to repeal an ordinance that criminalizes people for wearing “saggy pants.” According to data obtained by the Shreveport Times, since 2007 Black men have made up 96 percent of arrests under the ordinance.
“The law is clearly being used in a blatantly racially discriminatory manner that makes the City vulnerable to suit,” wrote ACLU of Louisiana legal director Katie Schwartzmann in the letter, which was also signed by Bill Quigley of the Loyola School of Law. “There is no legitimate need for this ordinance beyond racially motivated animus.”
The City Council is set to consider repealing the measure tomorrow (Tuesday, June 11).
