Right of Way rules no longer apply to protests in Louisville Metro

In 2020 protesters blocked many streets

No Kings protest, June 2025

Protesters at the NO KINGS protest on June 14 illegally marched in the street, blocking traffic. Council member Crystal Bast said:

“While the actions of the group did not escalate into violence or property destruction, their decision to become a moving parade— impeding traffic as they marched through downtown— was not conducted in accordance with Metro policies and must stop,” she said. “If there is a lack of interest in enforcing Metro’s laws and policies, we must immediately reassess their necessity.”

But protesters at the October 18 NO KINGS protest marched in the streets and it was legal.

On September 25 the Metro Council approved an ordinance that allows permitless protests in public parks and on city-owned streets, including street marches, as long as they are peaceful demonstrations related to protected First Amendment speech.

This change means that groups no longer need a parade permit to march in the street, provided they do not disrupt traffic to the point where there are no alternative routes for drivers and emergency personnel cannot access necessary areas.

The ordinance was sponsored by District 19 Council Member Anthony Piagentini, who emphasized that the law aims to align with how the mayor’s administration has been handing protest regulations, addressing inconsistencies in enforcement. The final language of the ordinance, amended during the meeting, ensures that permitless street protests are permitted as long as they do not cause gridlock. The measure passed unanimously, with Council Member J.P. Lyninger stating it represents "unquestionably an expansion of free speech rights" in Louisville.

We wonder if the LMPD views this new ordinance favorably.

An article in Louisville Public Media further explains the reason for the ordinance and sheds light on the final version.

Protests in public parks cannot disrupt “previously approved permitted uses of that same park.” And street protests cannot disrupt traffic to the point where there are no alternative routes for drivers and emergency personnel cannot go where they’re needed. The rules related to street protests do not apply to state-owned roads that Louisville doesn’t control.

Council members debated the exact language around regulating street protests.

District 6 Council Member J.P. Lyninger, a Democrat, raised concerns in committee about the original wording of Piagentini’s proposal, which required a permit for protests that disrupt traffic “in any manner.”

Lyninger said the final language, which was approved by amendment Thursday night, makes it clear that permitless street protests are OK as long as they aren’t causing gridlock.

“Councilman Piagentini was 100% willing to work with me on this amendment,” Lyninger said. “He stated over and over that that was the intent. If that’s the intent, then let's see it in the law.”

Lyninger ultimately voted in favor of the amended ordinance, which passed Metro Council unanimously. He said the measure is “unquestionably an expansion of free speech rights here in Louisville.”

Lyninger is a Democrat Socialist (aka, Marxist) and head of the Louisville DSA.

As of this writing, the new ordinance is not yet online for the public to read .

A difficulty with protests is paid participants. Some are furnished by leftist organizations. These are the ones who influence like-minded individuals to follow their lead. They will cause Louisville Metro to question this ordinance.

Known backers of paid protestors

Protestors are paid.