Anti-Flash Mob Ordinance

(Cleveland, Ohio)

Cleveland laws aimed at curbing flash mob chaos have taken effect, though Mayor Frank Jackson doubts it will make a difference.

Ordinances adopted last week by City Council prohibit acts that incite riots and specifically listed "electronic media devices" such as computers and cell phones as criminal tools.

Jackson, who vetoed council's earlier attempt to directly ban the use of Internet sites such as Facebook and Twitter to organize flash mobs, refused to sign the latest ordinances. But he didn't veto them either, and under the city charter, measures the mayor simply ignores become law.

James Hardiman, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, indicated the new ordinances will be challenged.