It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise of his enjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his having aided and encouraged any other person in the exercise of benefits and rights guaranteed by this chapter. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. [Code 1975 § 7-5.16.]