SCN: First Amendment Issue

[Lorraine Pozzi]

FYI - there is less public space, more police presence, less public
civility in Seattle ... the following should be of interest to
anyone interested in issues of free speech and assembly.  LP


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2001 21:10:45 -0700
From: Thalia Syracopoulos <syracopoulos at qwest.net>
To: "NWWOMEN (E-mail)" <nwwomen at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [nwwomen] WTO debris APOLOGIES FOR DOUBLE POSTING

This is a heads up about a very serious issue here in Seattle.

On Monday, June 18, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. the Seattle City Council will be taking
public testimony about the "Special Events Draft Resolution".  The Council
Finance Committee will vote on the proposed resolution on June 20, 2001 and the
entire City Council will vote on it on June 25, 2001.

Most of you have probably never heard of the Special Events Draft Resolution.
 For background information and a copy of the resolution a group of us have set
up a web site:  http://eventprop.seattlevotermarch.com

Please take the time to go to the website and get acquainted with the issues
involved.  The ability of any organization to get a permit for a rally, march,
parade or other activity on public property will be seriously effected by the
City Council's action.

In short summary the Resolution lays out the circumstances under which the City
Council will be the final arbiter of whether or not a permit is issued.  If the
event is projected to cost more than 3% of the Seattle Police Department
overtime budget, it would be the City Council's decision whether or not to
issue the permit.  There is no mention of events involving First Amendment
issues such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.  If these issues were
relevant to the issuing of a permit, it is the City Council that would define
whether or not a particular event - Seafair parade and other events, Fremont
Fair, July 4 celebration, November 30 anniversary of WTO, Hempfest and etc -
involved First Amendment issues.

Once the decision is made there is no appeal process if the permit is denied.

If you are able to attend the public hearing on June 18, please do so and sign
up to speak.  If you are unable to attend, please take the time to write, call
or e-mail the Seattle City Council and Mayor Schell.  This is not just a
"procedural change", it is a threat to our right to political speech and to
assembly.

The first vote will be in the Finance Committee on June 20, 2001.  Committee
members are:

Jan.Drago at ci.seattle.wa.us  (206) 684-8801
Judy.Nicastro at ci.seattle.wa.us (206) 684-8806
Nick.Licata at ci.seattle.wa.us  (206) 684-8803
Richard.McIver at ci.seattle.wa.us (206) 684-8800
Richard.Conlin at ci.seattle.wa.us (206) 684-8805
Heidi.Wills at ci.seattle.wa.us  (206) 684-8808  [Ms. Wills is an alternate on the
committee].

The full Council will vote on June 25, 2001.  The other members are:

Margaret.Pageler at ci.seattle.wa.us (206) 684-8807
Jim.Compton at ci.seattle.wa.us (206) 684-8802
Peter.Steinbrueck at ci.seattle.wa.us (206) 684-8804

The e-mail address for Mayor Paul Schell is: Mayors.office at ci.seattle.wa.us
(206) 684-0500

The address for all City Council members and Mayor Schell is:	600 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104



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