Minnesota Statutes Crimes; Expungement; Victims (Ch. 609-624) § 624.72. Interference with use of public property

Subdivision 1. Right to petition. The state of Minnesota acknowledges and reaffirms the right of its citizens to petition, peacefully and in an orderly manner, all levels and units of government for the redress of grievances of whatever nature, but also affirms that functions and proceedings of governmental bodies and agencies must remain free from organized or calculated confusion, disturbance or delay, and that to this end rules and regulations for the governance of public property and business lawfully promulgated must be observed.

Subd. 2. Public property. As used in this section, “public property” means any building or other property owned by or in control of the state or any of its political subdivisions or of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.

Subd. 3. Rules. For the purpose of protecting the free, proper and lawful access to, egress from and proper use of public property, and for the purpose of protecting the conduct of public business therein or thereon, free from interference, or disruption or the threat thereof, the legislature or any public officer, agency or board having the supervision thereof may to that end promulgate reasonable rules and regulations.

Subd. 4. Rule violation. Violation of a rule or regulation which has been published, posted, or announced in a reasonable manner at the time of such conduct shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate this section.

Subd. 5. Deny free access; penalty. Whoever, intentionally, or through coercion, force or intimidation, denies or interferes with the lawful right of another to the free access to or egress from or to use or remain in or upon public property or in like manner interferes with the transaction of public business therein or thereon may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.

Subd. 6. Not to affect chapter 179. Nothing contained herein shall in any way affect the provisions of chapter 179.