[Mpls] Campaigning in the Parks

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

It really is unforunate that common sense does not prevail in the first 
place. Of course, we all know this had nothing to do about policy,
it was about selective harrassment. Golly gee...this has the approval of 
legal counsel...when you are sitting across
from a man- eating tiger called Freedom of Speech, watched over by the 
ACLU...you better know how to say
pretty kitty, pretty kitty instead of hitting the darn thing across the nose 
with a bat. The MBP's legal counsel should have been
the first to speak out on the legalities of this situation along with a 
statement of the policy.

Now common sense would say that an apology should be extended for the sad 
mishandling of resources, time, and to Mr. Stone.

Dorie Rae Gallagher/Nokomis



> Common Sense and our basic Rights about Freedom of Speech seems to have
> prevailed.
>
> MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
> 2117 West River Road North
> (612) 230-6400
> FAX 230-6500
>
> M E M O R A N D U M
>
> TO: All Commissioners
>
> FROM: Jon Gurban, Superintendent
>
> DATE: June 23, 2005
>
> SUBJECT: Attached news release
>
> This is a copy of a news release that is being sent out.  It has the 
> approval of
> legal counsel and the President of the Board.
>
> June 23, 2005
>
>
>
> Dear Park Users
>
> The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has had a practice of requiring a 
> permit
> for individuals or small groups to engage in the distribution of 
> literature in
> our parks.  The primary purpose of this practice was to reinforce the 
> sense of
> parks as a place of refuge and relaxation.
>
> The recent event at Pearl Park regarding literature distribution (of a
> non-commercial nature) has caused us to review this policy.
>
> Our legal counsel has advised me that case law has evolved since 1991 when 
> the
> present regulations were established.  Further, that our current 
> regulations
> may be overly restrictive from the sense of requiring permits for 
> individuals
> or small groups to distribute non-commercial information.
>
> Therefore, I am advising park staff today that NO PERMITS WILL BE REQUIRED 
> OF
> INDIVIDUALS OR SMALL GROUPS (defined as less than 50) WISHING TO 
> DISTRIBUTE
> FLYERS, LEAFLETS, PAMPHLETS OR OTHER NON COMMERCIAL LITERATURE.  I will 
> ask the
> Park & Recreation Board staff to review the 1991 regulations.  If the
> regulations are flawed, I will be pleased to lead the charge to have them
> corrected.
>
> I am also asking that any individual or small group who are in the Park
> distributing literature to use common sense!  By that I mean please do not
> block access or egress to Park Buildings or block or impede traffic on 
> parkways
> or paths.  Do not litter or bother parents and guardians who may have 
> children
> in wading pools or people playing on athletic fields.
>
> Most importantly, the peaceful enjoyment and solitude of park patrons must 
> be
> respected.
>
>
> Thank You!
>
>
>
>
>
> Jon R. Gurban, Superintendent
>
>
>
>
>
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