Hi All,
Aubrey and I are working on this years’ Tax Day outreach
event, and we hope that this event will become an LPSF tradition carrying the
same level of commitment from our activists as has our yearly Pride booth. Of
course Tax Day is not new for LPSF; what is new in this year’s proposed event
is to involve other like-minded groups, obtain a City permit for our presence
in the Civic Center Plaza, and give the event a mantle of “education” rather
than “demonstration.” Sally, of Bay Area Tea Party, indicated
earlier her group might do a “march” from/to Civic Center to/from Federal
Building; maybe that could be done in combination with our event.
To this end, I wrote to the Events Specialist at Recreation
& Parks Department (the department that deals with all manner of presence
in all S.F. parks), hoping she would give me a ball park figure of cost. She
responded immediately, indicating that she could waive some of the more costly
fees if our event had no food, did not sell anything, and had no amplified
sound, and if I submitted an application describing in detail what we intended
to do. Sounded like the rules we have
been following for years at Pride, so I submitted the application.
To proceed, Aubrey and I would need your thoughts – from as
many activists on this list as would be interested in LPSF gaining some
visibility from this event. Since we do
not yet have a cost figure, all we are asking is your expressing of interest.
Here are my own thoughts, mostly addressing some concerns:
As Libertarians, we should not be dealing with “the
government”: If we are to improve our
visibility and become more relevant in City politics, I do not believe we have
a choice. We participate in Pride, which
is taxpayer funded (funding comes from Grants for the Arts/Hotel Tax Fund); and
we meet monthly at a government-owned facility.
Tabling, marching, gathering is free speech, and should not
require permission from the City: I
agree it should not, but it does. A “march”
on the sidewalks without obstructing vehicle or pedestrian traffic does not
need a permit. A spontaneous unplanned
gathering (like a protest or vigil) does not need a permit. A planned and promoted presence in any park,
street, or other public space does need a permit. Our Tax Day event would be planned and
promoted.
We have not acquired LPSF members as a direct result of past
Tax Day events: Acquiring members as a
direct result would be great. However,
the main objective of such events is to gain visibility and show effort in spreading
our viewpoint to the general public.
Noisy demonstrations are fun and “libertarian”: If
enough of you would prefer such a demonstration, I will immediately withdraw
the Rec & Parks application. No
problem.
Marcy