Unlawful assembly

COMMENTARY ON §711-1104 Section 711-1104 is intended to reach those who have assembled for the purpose of rioting or who are on their way to the scene of a riot, but who have not yet begun to riot, or who associate with a group of known potential rioters with intent to aid their cause. It thus comprises both unlawful assembly and riot at the common law, and constitutes in effect an expanded concept of attempted riot. Punishment is at the misdemeanor level. Specifically the section requires assembling with five or more others with intent to engage in conduct constituting a riot, or remaining at an assembly that develops a purpose to engage in a riot, with intent to advance that purpose. Previous Hawaii law was directed at only specific instances of unlawful assembly. It was illegal under prior law to assemble for the purpose of advocating criminal syndicalism,[1] also, under the former disorderly conduct statute, it was illegal for persons congregating on a public street or sidewalk to refuse to move on at the orders of the police.[2] Thus, the Code's concept of unlawful assembly as an attempted riot offense is new to Hawaii law. __________ §711-1104 Commentary: 1. H.R.S. §721-4. 2. Id. §772-2(2).