Common sense would say that the city should:
(1) Not criminalize things that are already illegal (we already have laws to cover that); and
(2) Not criminalize ordinary activities of residents and businesses (this is too much of an infringement on civil liberties, and is unnecessary).
We call on the city council not to pass this ordinance as written.
Why is this important?
Thursday, the city council is considering an ordinance that we find to be detrimental to the interests of the residents of St. Petersburg.
While it is supposedly aimed at securing the safety of partygoers and city residents during an August 26th RNC party at Tropicana Field, we believe that many of its features have absolutely no value in protecting residents, protesters or RNC attendees.
The ordinance does make many aspects of ordinary living for residents impossible, the ordinance massively infringes on our civil liberties, and essentially shuts down some of our local businesses.
Such a law serves no clear purpose in keeping anyone safe, but it does make almost everyone who happens to live or shop in the zone “arrestable.”
