Sac City Council approves protest restrictions Rules ban certain activities, require permit

The rules being considered would allow no one to be on city hall grounds between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. unless attending an official meeting.

They would also ban activities such as cooking, distributing food, bathing or washing clothes, unless a permit is obtained.

The city manager would have up to 45 days to review permit applications.

Applicants would be charged a permit fee to be determined by city staff and would be required to have insurance.

Several speakers encouraged the council to vote against the proposed rules.

Some speakers who identified themselves as members of the Occupy movement said they felt the rules were intended to target their protest.

Lanette Davies of the American Civil Liberties Union said the application deadline was not practical, because the City Council often publishes its agenda for its Tuesday meetings at the end of the previous week.

One speaker compared the proposed rules to fascism and several said they felt it was ironic for the rules to be considered on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

"In hearing the comments, there are some people who misunderstand our Constitution," said council member Steve Cohn.

"It does allow government to determine if there are reasonable time, place and manner," said Cohn.

At one point, Mayor Kevin Johnson banged his gavel and threatened to expel audience members who interrupted council members speaking from the dais.

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