Please DU this survey in the St. Pete Times, protesters/barricades

[flvegan]

http://sptimes.com/2005/08/19/Southpinellas/Weekend_BayWalk_car_b.shtml

Also, for more info on the situation at Baywalk, you can always check out http://www.stpeteforpeace.org

Props to new DUer peacemike for the original link.

[gademocrat7]

1. Done

[liberal N proud]

2. Kick

[fasttense]

3. So what are you recommending they do?

The poll does not give the option of taking the barricades away and allowing protesters the right to the sidewalk like every other citizen.

Should the street outside Baywalk be closed on weekends to allow room for protests Yes, the protesters deserve to have the space 3115 votes - 75%


No, the protests hurt business in the entertainment complex 777 votes - 19%


The existing metal barricades are fine 284 votes - 7%

If they close the street, then the protesters lose the crowds they are trying to reach.

[soup]

5. The proposal is to close the street (one block) to vehicles.

The area is jammed on Saturday night. It's a hub for entertainment - restaurants, bars, theaters and gift shops within a complex. The sidewalk in front of the complex is where the protests take place. Check out the pictures at St. Pete for Peace.

The only drawback to closing the street on Saturday nights that I can see is the possibility of the city putting up 'free speech zone' barricades in a distant corner and saying to the protesters something along the lines of - 'Here's your corner, people. Stay in it.'

Probably the worst that could happen is that the city gives the sidewalk fronting the property to the corporation that owns the complex, giving them the power to say 'get off OUR property.' To me, that would set a horrible precedent.

That's just my take on the situation. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will answer.

[fasttense]

6. Oh, I see what you are saying.

They will close the street to only the vehicle traffic and the protesters will still have the (walking traffic) audience they are trying to affect. Sounds good to me.

[soup]

4. Whoa...

That tide definitely turned. :) When I initially read the article and saw the poll on Saturday, there were about 300 votes and the bulk of them were pro-Sembler / anti-protesters.

For some reason, in spite of all that's transpired in the last few years, it still surprises me that people can't see that losing freedom affects all of us. Eventually, they'll be stung by these actions to remove free speech and will have no recourse. No foresight whatsoever.

Thanks for bringing this to broader attention, and to the people of St. Pete for Peace for taking the stand.

[FtWayneBlue]

7. done

Should the street outside Baywalk be closed on weekends to allow room for protests?

Yes, the protesters deserve to have the space 3143 votes - 75%


No, the protests hurt business in the entertainment complex 782 votes - 19%


The existing metal barricades are fine 289 votes - 7%


Total: 4214 votes