Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Free Speech topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Street performers warn waterfront 'blue boxes' could prompt litigation; council asked to exercise oversight
Summary
Street performers and free-speech advocates told the council the waterfront's 'blue box' designated performance areas chill expression and could repeat constitutional litigation, urging policy review and more expressive spaces.
During public comment on June 2, street performers and free-speech advocates asked the Seattle City Council to exercise oversight of waterfront expressive-activity rules and to reconsider limited designated performance spaces.
Clive urged council oversight of waterfront free-speech policies and cited a 2009 First Amendment litigation loss as a cautionary precedent. Rogilo Perez, who identified himself as a street performer, objected to painted 'blue boxes' that limit where performers may speak or perform and said those markings restrict expressive activity. Perez and another commenter cited a recent San Diego settlement that awarded $450,000 over similar restrictions and warned that Seattle should not repeat that mistake.
A traveling magician and other performers said the redesigned waterfront allocates only five expressive spaces compared with more at Pike Place Market and argued the current approach is displacing performers, chilling speech and increasing conflict. They asked the city attorney’s office to review and amend any policies that could be unconstitutional.
Council did not take formal action on the issue at the meeting; speakers asked staff and the city attorney to reexamine the policy and enforcement mechanisms to ensure they comply with constitutional protections while addressing legitimate public-safety or nuisance concerns.
