Police warn Florida woman against wearing Halloween costume as protest

A South Florida woman stated on Sunday said that she was warned
by a local police officer not to wear a Halloween costume, the Associated Press
reported.

The outfit is supposed to resemble a condo
building project, thereby turning the situation into a protest for which
she requires permission.

Cat Uden mentioned to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that
the officer told her that wearing the outfit to the city of Hollywood‘s
Hollyweird Halloween block celebration on Saturday night would be deemed an
organized protest march.

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Uden said she will still wear the costume, but she will not
bring her 12-year-old son with her.

“I don’t want him to see me getting harassed by the
police,” Uden explained.

Uden has been a vocal opponent of a developer’s intention to
construct a 30-story condo on publicly owned beachfront property. A park with a
community centre is currently located on the land. The city commissioners are
slated to decide on the issue later this year.

On Facebook, Uden invited other opponents of the development
to attend the Halloween block party dressed as a condo building or carrying
posters that read “No Condo.” Uden claimed she received a call from
the local police lieutenant a few days after she posted the note.

She stated, “I told him it’s a costume party.”
“I don’t consider it a demonstration and that’s why I didn’t apply for a
permit.”

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Deanna Bettineschi, a police spokesperson, said Uden
requires permission to stage a “planned protest march.” Uden will
be issued a warning and asked to leave if she attends the event and leads an
organised demonstration. Following a warning, the punishment may include
arrest, a fine of up to $500, or 60 days in prison, according to Bettineschi.

According to Bob Jarvis, a constitutional law professor at
Nova Southeastern University, Uden had the right to wear the costume since it
was protected under the First Amendment.

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“The police are on very shaky ground,” Jarvis
stated. “There is no reason to think she is inciting anyone or that she
will be starting a riot.”