DEPARTMENT: City Attorney's Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Andy Segovia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
First Amendment assembly and procession activities
SUMMARY:
This item amends Article XVII of Chapter 19 of the City Code entitled Parades, Runs, Walks and Related Events, and Section 3-22 of Article II of Chapter 3 of the City Code entitled Commercial and non-commercial activities to make revisions consistent with Council direction to lift as many barriers to free speech as possible.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 2, 2017, Councilman Roberto Trevi?o submitted a CCR on First Amendment assembly and procession procedures. In that CCR, Councilman Trevi?o tasked the City Attorney with reassessing permitting procedures in public places, and to provide options for potentially easing restrictions for safe, peaceful, and legal demonstrations.
On August 2, 2017, the City Attorney presented his initial review of permitting procedures for First Amendment assembly and procession in public places to the City Council Governance Committee. At that meeting, the City Attorney was instructed by the Governance Committee to meet with the Free Speech Coalition and other concerned citizens regarding the City's parade ordinance. Since September 2017, the City Attorney and other client departments have held numerous face-to-face and phone meetings with the Coalition and other concerned citizens on this matter.
The City Attorney also met with the following client groups who are affected by the parade ordinance or free speech policies: San Antonio Police Department, Center City Development Operations (CCDO), Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI), Aviation, and Convention and Sports Facilities (CSF).
City staff compiled its recommendations based on these meetings and presented its recommendations to City Council at the Wednesday, December 13, 2017 B Session. Some of the recommendations presented are currently codified within the existing parade and air...
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