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Oakland considering ban on violent tools at protests
Oakland considering ban on violent tools at protests
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
OAKLAND, Calif. -- A proposal to ban hammers, wrenches, shields, sling shots, paint projectiles and other potentially destructive items at protests will be considered by the Oakland City Council at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The ordinance prohibiting so-called "tools of violence and vandalism" during a demonstration is being proposed by Councilman Noel Gallo, who said in a letter to his colleagues that it's designed to counter violence that occurred during recent protests against the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Gallo said the damage to businesses in downtown Oakland and the adjacent Chinatown district included broken windows, graffiti and arson. In addition, a waiter at the restaurant Flora was hit in the face with a hammer, he said.
Gallo said the ordinance is needed because "the Oakland Police Department needs additional tools to help protect life and property in our city."
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
OAKLAND, Calif. -- A proposal to ban hammers, wrenches, shields, sling shots, paint projectiles and other potentially destructive items at protests will be considered by the Oakland City Council at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The ordinance prohibiting so-called "tools of violence and vandalism" during a demonstration is being proposed by Councilman Noel Gallo, who said in a letter to his colleagues that it's designed to counter violence that occurred during recent protests against the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Gallo said the damage to businesses in downtown Oakland and the adjacent Chinatown district included broken windows, graffiti and arson. In addition, a waiter at the restaurant Flora was hit in the face with a hammer, he said.
Gallo said the ordinance is needed because "the Oakland Police Department needs additional tools to help protect life and property in our city."
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=9190517
So are hammers a freedom of speech issue or is the council looking at the wrong tools?
10 replies
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