Section 4.04.540 Threat of force or intimidation; penalty.

    1. A person commits a public offense if the person, whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force, intentionally intimidates or interferes with or attempts to interfere with a person under any of the following circumstances:
        a. Because of the person's race, color, creed, sex, membership in any protected class defined by the Iowa Civil Rights Act and/or the Federal Civil Rights Act, religion, national origin, disability, or familial status, and because the person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, occupying, or financing, contracting for, or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for or participating in a service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings.
        b. Because the person is or has been doing any of the following:
            (1) Participating, without discrimination because of race, color, creed, sex, membership in any protected class defined by the Iowa Civil Rights Act and/or the Federal Civil Rights Act, religion, national origin, disability, or familial status, in an activity service, organization, or facility described in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
            (2) Affording another person the opportunity or protection to so participate.
            (3) Lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination because of race, color, sex, membership in any protected class defined by the Iowa Civil Rights Act and/or the Federal Civil Rights Act, religion, national origin, disability, or familial status, in an activity, service, organization, or facility described in subsection (a)(1) of this section.
    2. Any person who fails to perform an act required by this section or who commits an act prohibited by this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment as provided by Section 1.04 of this Code. (Ord. 2008-0235)