(a) No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall, by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with:
(1) Any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or ancestry and because that person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for or participating in any service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting housing accommodations;
(2) Any person because that person is or has been, or in order to intimidate that person or any other person or any class of persons from:
A. Participating, without discrimination on account of race; color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or ancestry, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in paragraph (a) (l) hereof;
B. Affording another person or class of persons opportunity or protection so to participate.
(3) Any person because that person is or has been, or in order to discourage that person or any other person from, lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or ancestry, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in paragraph (a)(1) hereof, or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate .
(b) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, provided such person does not cause bodily injury or death in connection with such violation. Punishment shall be as provided in Section 698.02. (ORC 2927.03)