Dallas passes ordinance outlawing people, including protesters, who ‘distract motorists’ near freewa

[TexasTowelie]

The new protest ordinance more or less prohibits giant presidential heads. So beware. (Mona Reeder/Staff photographer)

Wednesday morning the Dallas City Council passed the rewrite of an ordinance that, until now, merely prohibited protesters from carrying signs within 75 feet of a major freeway. After today’s vote, that rule is far more wide-ranging, as it now includes “individuals carrying signs, wearing costumes, or engaging in other activities intended to draw attention to their signs or themselves.”

Council members Philip Kingston and Carolyn Davis voted against the ordinance, which Kingston blasted as being “against free speech” and unnecessary. Said Kingston, the city’s already engaged in one lawsuit over the existing ordinance; today’s vote all but guarantees more will follow, he said. Kingston said there’s already a state law regarding deadly conduct, and that should apply here.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown strongly disagreed: “We don’t believe state law application is going to cover the behavior of protesters over overpasses, hanging signage” that would be distracting to drivers, said Brown.

According to the council agenda, the new ordinance will “prohibit all conduct intended to distract motorists by individuals standing within the lateral curb lines of the highways, including adjoining service or frontage roads, as well as on bridges or overpasses over the highways.”

More at http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/2014/01/dallas-passes-sweeping-ordinance-outlawing-anyone-including-protestors-who-distracts-motorists.html/ .

[zbdent]

1. but not corporations, and billboard companies?

hmm ... isn't that a bit of limiting "freedom of speech"?

[Downwinder]

2. As written here:

"Individuals carrying signs, wearing costumes, or engaging in other activities intended to draw attention to their signs or themselves.”

Would apply to highway maintenance workers and pizza delivery.