Legislation Aims To Curb Aggressive Throwing At Mardi Gras

(KMDL-FM) It would be foolish for any of us who have attended any Mardi Gras Parade in the state of Louisiana to say it doesn't happen. We've all seen it. We may have done it. We may have been the victim of it. What's "It"? It is the act of knowingly or negligently throwing objects from a parade float that could cause harm.

There is now proposed legislation that is awaiting debate from members of the Louisiana Legislature that would make agressive dispersment of Mardi Gras throws during a parade a crime. That crime could not only result in significant fines. But, there is also the potential for jail time if the act is deemed heinous enough.

Why Is There a Crackdown on Aggressive Throwing from Mardi Gras Floats?

The just-concluded Mardi Gras season saw more than a few incidents where aggressive throwing or the tossing of objects that shouldn't have been tossed from a Mardi Gras float were reported.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

You might recall an incident in New Orleans where a four-year-old child required medical attention after being struck in the head with a bottle. That bottle was allegedly thrown from a float that was a part of the Zulu parade.

There were other incidents involving members of the Krewe of Toth who were alleged to have been seen aggressively throwing beads at revelers along the parade route. Also, members of a float riding in the Krewe of Carrollton event were alleged to have aggressively thrown beads at police officers who were working security for the parade.

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What is the Louisiana Proposed Aggressive Bead-Throwing Law?

These incidents have prompted Representative Sylvia Taylor, a Democrat who represents constituents in and around Reserve, Louisiana, to file proposed legislation that would bring criminal charges to those convicted of aggressive and reckless throwing from a Mardi Gras or any other parade float.

The teeth of the legislation come in the form of a $500 fine. For those who are convicted under the law, and their aggressive throwing caused injury to another person or persons. That individual could face a fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

There are even stiffer penalties for those who commit even more heinous or egregious acts of aggressive throwing during Mardi Gras. Those individuals could face fines in excess of $2,000 and between one and three years in jail.

How Will An Aggressive Bead-Throwing Law at Mardi Gras Actually Be Enforced?

That's the big question in my mind. How do you enforce this legislation? I think it would be very difficult without video proof to isolate which float rider tossed the offending projectile. Second, I think it will be difficult to prove "intent" or the fact that the parade rider "knowingly" meant to cause harm.

The third issue this legislation might face is the mask issue. Aren't parade riders in New Orleans required to wear masks? That would make identifying an aggressive tosser even more difficult.

So, while the legislation seems like a good idea. It also seems as if enforcement of the idea will cause more problems than it will solve. But that's why our legislators are going to debate and discuss, right? Meanwhile, here are a few more laws you might be breaking but are hard to enforce.