HomeMy WebLinkAboutsubmission-2RESOLUTION CREATING A FREE SPEECH AREA OF THE AMERICAS
ENCOURAGING THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION TO REJECT THE CURRENTLY PROPOSED PARADES AND
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY ORDINANCE SECTION 54 6.1 AND TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION CREATING A FREE
SPEECH AREA OF THE AMERICAS
WHEREAS, the City's current regulations that govern lawful behavior already protect the City from
unlawful or violent protest actions; and
WHEREAS, the unique multi -cultural identity of the City would be significantly and irrevocably harmed
by a further restriction on parades and protests; and
WHEREAS, an erosion of civil liberties and First Amendment freedoms including the use of pre-emptive
arrests of protestors, protest pens, and refusal of governments to participate in public dialogue have
resulted in the erosion of democracy by silencing dissenting viewpoints; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, abuse of power by law enforcement or government officials has led to civil
unrest and disturbance, accompanied in some instances by significant personal injuries from the
documented illegal use of police force; and
WHEREAS, the people have recognized the First Amendment right to protest, demonstrate, rally and
assemble in large numbers, honoring the traditions of the American Revolution, the labor movement,
the women's suffrage movement, the farm worker's movement, the Civil Rights movement, and the
anti -war movement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami has a responsibility to ensure the safety and security of those viewing,
attending or participating in parades and assemblies, and protecting citizens from abuses of police
power; and
WHEREAS, City of Miami Police Chief John Timoney has a public and documented record of violating the
First Amendment rights of citizens by ordering pre-emptive arrests; raiding puppet -making space and
destroying signs, placards, and puppets; mass arrests of protestors and uninvolved bystanders; and
use of excessive force to remove protestors; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami recognizes restrictions of common -everyday materials such as wood, pvc-
pipe, glass bottles, and hard sheet plastic unnecessarily restricts First Amendment rights of individuals
and groups and would criminalize a wide variety of everyday uses of these materials if applied fairly to
all segments of society; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF MIAMI THAT:
1. The City shall not abridge the First Amendment rights of citizens;
2. The City shall welcome independent legal observers including police liaisons, qualified medical
personnel, and members of the independent media to document and protect citizens from law
enforcement abuses;
3. The City shall open up significant public space including but not limited to the Miami Dade
Community College and Bayfront Park for housing, public assembly, forums and debate;
4. The City shall protect public assemblies, convergence space, meeting space, public forums, lawful
flyering and puppet making from illegal pre-emptive arrests and police harassment;
5. The identification of downtown Miami a Free Speech Area of the Americas shall demonstrate the
City's willingness to ensure that all viewpoints are represented N, r�intrigr f en_
law enforcement and demonstrators. U���►r/`� U 1! (V�THE
PUBLIC RECORD FOR
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