D.C. Riot Act

The D.C. Riot Act, enacted in 1801, was a law that allowed authorities in Washington, D.C., to suppress unruly gatherings or riots. If a group was causing trouble, officials could read the act aloud to command them to disperse. If they didn’t comply within a certain time, they could be arrested or prosecuted. The law aimed to restore order during civil disturbances but was rarely used. It reflected concerns about maintaining public peace in the early 19th century, and over time, it became obsolete and was replaced by modern laws handling public disorder.