Free speech is NOT permitted

Why do we have to get a permit for every event? What happened to the days when people just stood on a soap box on the corner?

one wonders how much more difficult it will be to get these damned permits nowadays, too

:hi:

Just thinking about you the other day. Hope all is well. :hi:

as long as I avoid the news

which, of course, I can't do :evilfrown:

counting the days until 9/24!!!!!

:hi:

I'm sure the main speakers have a permit, but what happens when protesters leave the designated permit area? Are people allowed to give impromptu speeches outside the main stage?

You just have to stop talking when your crowd reaches a certain size.

Permits are mostly so the city can arrange supporting services as needed. If your crowd might spill into a street, they'll need to shut the street down and reroute traffic. If you want to have 5000 people in a park, they want to ensure that you're ordering porta-potties so people aren't pissing in the trees. If you're going to have a parade, they'll need to arrange police escorts.

There's nothing wrong with the idea of requiring a permit. The problem arises when corrupt bureaucrats rig the permitting system to further their political views or undermine their opponents.

Had to walk by two of 'em this weekend in San Francisco. One of them was waving a bible and screaming bile about "homosexuals!" (I think they just like saying that word), and as I passed I said, "Satan, get thee behind me!"

to get shut down.

:think:

Otherwise, I say xians. ;)

a crowd of less than 4,000 without getting a permit.

But I don't write the laws.

...and the owner says you're blocking or scaring away their customers. Using permits allows law enforcement to tell those businesses to shut up.