Share the Joy, or Boardwalk Ordinance Unravelled
By Boardwalk
Mary
Thanks to the efforts of the
homeless advocate organization Food Not Bombs, the hated prohibitive
ordinance—the so-called free expression ordinance—has been
overturned.
According to Gita Isagholian O’Neil,
city prosecutor for the city’s neighborhood prosecutor’s agency,
vendors will still have to go through the lottery process, but the ordinance no
longer excludes commercial vending on the west side of the Boardwalk. According
to some sources, the city parks including Griffith Park, Penmar,
Oakwood—all City Recreation and Parks controlled parks are now open to
commercial vending.
Unfortunately, with
the lottery in place, this will still prevent devout Muslims from participating
in the lottery, because according to devout Muslims, the lottery is gambling and
Muslims are enjoined by the Koran and Mohammed from gambling.
According to some sources, all parks
are now dubbed “Free Expression” zones. This means that people will
no longer have to trek to Venice Beach, search for parking, etc., to do their
shopping.
Soon, a park near them will
have the same experience available, and the gas expense will be less
costly.
Dept. of Rec. and Parks
officials state that they are working to tighten the ordinance so that Venice
Beach alone will have the exclusive designation of “Free Expression
Zone.”
But for the present
(August-September ‘05) entrepreneurs, artists tattoo and otherwise, free
speechers preachers, etc., can set up sell and perform in any city park. For
more information call Victor or Robert at 310-399-2775 or 310-396-6764 (Venice
Beach), Gita Isagholian O’Neil 310-202-3825, Lydia Ritzman, Supervisor
(Rec and Parks, Western Division) 818-243-6488
x215.
This outcome is due to the hard
work of the City Attorney’s office, the L.A. Recreation and Parks
Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department. Call and let them know how
you feel about the expansion of Free Expression everywhere. Police: 310-392-5170
or 1-877-ASK-LAPD.
Keep free expression
everywhere! Share the Joy!
Posted: Thu - September 1, 2005 at 04:36 PM