Riot Act

The Riot Act, originally passed in England in 1714, was a law allowing authorities to disperse groups of twelve or more people who were causing a disturbance. If officials read aloud specific sections of the Act, those gathered had one hour to leave peacefully, or they could be arrested. The phrase "reading the Riot Act" has since evolved into a common expression referring to the act of reprimanding or warning someone sternly about their behavior. It reflects the balance between maintaining public order and protecting individual rights during unrest.