Craftspeople face arrest, harassment on OFW


By Della Franco

We thought that when Bill Rosendahl became the Councilman he would represent the needs of the people of the Venice Boardwalk; the artists supported him; they believed in him. Unfortunately for all concerned, they and their families are being let down.


While Rosendahl was stating to the press that there were no problems enforcing the new ordinance, he did not witness the tears of the craftspeople who simply did not understand how their livelihood was suddenly swept away from them. These people who have for years attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists, bringing in huge revenue to Venice Beach are suddenly denied the right to work!

This is because the City Council refused to enforce the original long-standing agreement that factory-made goods were not allowed to be sold on the west side of the boardwalk. Instead of adhering to this simple rule, the City ignored for too long the obvious influx of these goods and then responded to the problem by enforcing unfair regulations, ordinances and lotteries.

Craftspeople fail to comprehend how handmade jewelry (amongst other handmade crafts) is now forbidden to be sold? What is the difference between a painting hanging on a wall and a piece of jewelry hanging from ones neck? How does one distinguish between the usefulness of a button, bumper-sticker or a ring? It is obvious that this ordinance needs to be amended, or better still, abolished! The craftspeople NEED to be protected.

If someone makes their craft on the spot, it is an artistic expression and personal exchange with the consumer. Originally all artists, painters, craftspeople were to be actively working on their crafts and then what is handmade becomes obvious. It is ludicrous to ignore this standard and instead heavily regulate a supposedly “free speech and expression zone.”

When tourists experience Venice as a place where people work with their hands (regardless of what it is they make) this creates a unique cultural atmosphere which Venice has always been famous for. Even the residents do not want this taken away.

What a shameful mess the Ordinance has created. Police harassment grows every day. There are more police than artists these days. Now we have mothers handcuffed in front of their children and peaceful activists dragged off to jail. Artists are being made into criminals!!

The tension on Venice Beach is so thick that even the tourist aren't frequenting as they used to. So everyone is suffering, including the remaining artists and local store owners. The spirit of Venice Beach is being stifled and we need to take action in order to prevent further oppression and restrictions. Please help by calling the City Council at 311 and/or signing the petition at <www.petitiononline.com>.

Posted: Tue - August 1, 2006 at 02:24 PM          


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