DEPARTMENT: City Attorney's Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Andy Segovia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT: Review of City's current procedures and staff recommendations for applying for and issuing permits for First Amendment assembly and procession activities.
SUMMARY:
This briefing addresses Councilman Trevi?o's CCR and the subsequent discussion in the Governance Committee meeting on August 2, 2017 regarding the City's current procedures for applying for and issuing permits for First Amendment assembly and procession activities. The City complies with U.S. Constitution, and strikes the delicate balance of maintaining public safety, sharing the use of public spaces, and safeguarding citizens' rights to freedom of speech and assembly in public places.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Councilman Trevi?o submitted a CCR asking this office to reassess permitting procedures for First Amendment assembly and procession in public places and to provide options for potentially easing restrictions for demonstrations. Councilman Trevi?o has asked whether the standards for issuance of a permit and assessment of fees should be modified, and whether there should be an expansion of those public spaces where assembly and procession are allowed. These issues were discussed at the Governance Committee meeting on August 2, 2017. Members of the Free Speech Coalition who were present at the meeting voiced their concerns about the Parade Ordinance, and Mayor Nirenberg directed the City Attorney's Office to meet with the group to discuss the Ordinance.
In response, the City Attorney's Office held several meetings with the Free Speech Coalition. During those meetings, the Coalition requested Parade Ordinance revisions, no-cost First Amendment assembly and procession events, a centralized First Amendment assembly and procession application process, and a more friendly process for interaction with the San Antonio Police Department when planning a First Amendment assembly or procession...
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