Sheriffs, their under-sheriffs and deputies, constables,
marshals and policemen have a duty to suppress unlawful assemblies
within their jurisdiction. For that reason they may order all persons
who are part of an assembly to disperse. An "unlawful assembly" is
an assembly which consists of three or more persons and which causes
such a disturbance of public order that it is reasonable to believe
that the assembly will cause injury to persons or damage to property
unless it is immediately dispersed.
An unlawful assembly includes an assembly of persons
who assemble for the purpose of blocking or obstructing the lawful
use by any other person or persons of any private or public thoroughfares,
property or of any positions of access or exit to or from any private
or public building,or dwelling place, or any portion thereof, and
which assembly does in fact so block or obstruct the lawful use by
any other person or persons of any such private or public thoroughfares,
property or any position of access or exit to or from any private
or public building or dwelling place, or any portion thereof.
Whoever intentionally fails or refuses to withdraw from an unlawful assembly which he or she knows has been ordered to disperse may be penalized under Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-19.
It is hereby declared that the protection and preservation
of the home is the keystone of democratic government; that public
health and welfare and good order of the community requires that the
members of the community enjoy in their homes and dwellings a feeling
of well-being, tranquillity, and privacy and when absent from their
homes and dwellings, carry with them the sense of security inherent
in the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes
and dwellings; that the practice of picketing their homes and dwellings
causes emotional disturbance and distress to the occupants; obstructs
and interferes with the free use of public sidewalks and public ways
of travel; that such practice has as its object the harassing of such
occupants; and without resort to such practice full opportunity exists,
and under the terms and provisions of this section will continue to
exist for the exercise of freedom of speech and other constitutional
rights; and that the provisions hereinafter enacted are necessary
for the public interest to avoid the detrimental results herein set
forth and are enacted by the Council pursuant to the provisions of
§ 62.11(5), Wis. Stats.