40.1-53 - Preventing persons from pursuing lawful vocations, etc.; illegal picketing; injunction. - Virginia Statutes

§ 40.1-53. Preventing persons from pursuing lawful vocations, etc.; illegalpicketing; injunction.

No person shall singly or in concert with others interfere or attempt tointerfere with another in the exercise of his right to work or to enter uponthe performance of any lawful vocation by the use of force, threats ofviolence or intimidation, or by the use of insulting or threatening languagedirected toward such person, to induce or attempt to induce him to quit hisemployment or refrain from seeking employment.

No person shall engage in picketing by force or violence, or picket alone orin concert with others in such manner as to obstruct or interfere with freeingress or egress to and from any premises, or obstruct or interfere withfree use of public streets, sidewalks or other public ways.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty ofa misdemeanor, and punished accordingly.

Notwithstanding the punishments herein provided any court of general equityjurisdiction may enjoin picketing prohibited by this section, and in additionthereto, may enjoin any picketing or interference with lawful picketing whennecessary to prevent disorder, restrain coercion, protect life or property,or promote the general welfare.

(Code 1950, § 40-64; 1952, c. 674; 1970, c. 321; 1974, c. 254.)