A controversial proposal to place some restrictions on protests at Sacramento City Hall goes to the City Council on Tuesday.
While a previous version of the ordinance had sought to require permits for protests on City Hall grounds, the law being voted on Tuesday allows groups to protest without paying fees or getting a permit. However, permits must be sought to use noisemakers - including horns and cowbells - and protesters cannot leave personal belongings or use the area around City Hall between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Free speech advocates had pushed to have the permit requirement removed. They are still unhappy with some provisions of the proposed ordinance, which some have said is targeting the small band of Occupy protesters who remain on the City Hall grounds.
In a letter to city officials, members of the local ACLU chapter said the law still "contains numerous unconstitutional burdens on speech."
Some city officials have quietly complained about the behavior of Occupy protesters, whose encampment on the front lawn of Old City Hall has killed off large patches of grass.
The proposed ordinance has some provisions which seem to target those protesters, including laws prohibiting the destruction of City Hall landscaping, bathing or washing dishes on the property, and keeping an animal.
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