JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Activists young and old representing the American Civil Liberties Union gathered outside of the Hinds County Chancery Court Monday holding signs like "Fashion is not a crime" and "America has no uniform."
The civil liberties group is against a proposed ordinance that would ban saggy pants in Hinds County.
Bear Atwood, the Legal Director for the ACLU of Mississippi said a law banning saggy pants violates First Amendment rights.
"The whole purpose of our constitution is to protect unpopular but legal behavior. Yea, it might be unpopular, but it's unconstitutional to ban," Atwood said.
Minister Tony Williams organized a group of people who are in favor of a saggy pants ban.
"When they go in to get a job and employers see them coming with their pants sagging, who is going to hire them?" Williams said.
Hinds County Supervisor Kenneth Stokes offered a similar opinion during a public hearing on the ordinance he spear-headed.
"Very few of these people who hang around with their pants hanging down will have an opportunity to enter the job market," Stokes said.
Laurie Roberts, a Ward 3 Jackson resident said she's worked with students who sag their pants. Roberts said many of them are not only good students, but have excellent jobs. Roberts thinks the ban would discriminate.
"Not only is it really racist, but its ageist because a lot of the things you all wore when you were their age were found to be indecent," Roberts said.
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors could vote on the proposed ban during their next meeting. If the ban becomes law, violators could be subject to community service.
Currently, eight other cities in Mississippi have bans on saggy pants.
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