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Code of Virginia · § 18.2-484 — Advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means

18.2-484. Advocacy of change in government by force, violence or other unlawful means

It shall be unlawful for any person, group, or organization to advocate any change, by force, violence, or other unlawful means in the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any of its subdivisions or in the government of the United States of America.

It shall be unlawful for any person to join, assist or otherwise contribute to any group or organization which, to the knowledge of such person, advocates or has as its purpose, aim or objective, any change, by force, violence, or other unlawful means in the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any of its subdivisions or in the government of the United States of America.

Violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony.

Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or prohibit the advocacy, orally or otherwise, of any change, by peaceful means, in the government of the Commonwealth or any of its subdivisions or in the government of the United States.

History and annotations

Code 1950, § 18.1-421; 1960, c. 358; 1962, c. 343; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Official source for this version

Source captured 2026-09-25. Open the official source.

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