The City of Santa Monica is hoping to avoid potential violence this weekend by restricting the types of items which may be brought to a planned public protest.
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to congregate near the Santa Monica Pier Sunday.
“This event is a public assembly for those who wish to exercise their right to express their opinions regarding medical freedom associated with the COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccination passports,” Interim Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said in a community email Thursday.
“There is also credible intelligence indicating counter protestors will be in attendance. Based on recent events in surrounding cities, clashes between demonstrators and counter protestors have erupted in violence. In an abundance of caution, the Police Department will have enhanced staffing through the City and particularly in the Downtown area.”
In an effort to avoid a repeat of the destruction and violence following last year’s Black Lives Matter event, the Santa Monica City Council passed an emergency ordinance this week restricting the items protestors and civilians may possess at this and similar events.
It includes:
- Wood or lumber of any length (excluding a pencil)*
- Metal pipe of any length (excluding metal pen)
- Baseball and softball bats
- Aerosol sprays, including mace, pepper spray, tear gas and bear repellant
- Projectile launchers and catapults
- Chains greater than 20 inches in length or 1/4 inch in diameter
- Knives
- Daggers
- Swords
- Hatchets
- Billy clubs
- Ice picks
- Razor blades
- Nunchucks
- Box cutters
- BB guns
- Martial arts weapons of any kind
- Explosives (including dynamite)
- Stun guns
- Tasers
- Brass or wooden knuckles
- Toy guns
- Any container filled with flammable materials
- Glass containers
- Metal container
- Open flame torches
- Lanterns
- Bricks, rocks
- Metal pellets or ball bearings
- Gas masks
- Laser pointers
- Umbrellas (unless it is raining)
- Umbrellas longer than 16 inches (if it is raining)
- Bullet proof vests
- Riot control gear
- Tactical vests similar to those used by law enforcement
*Canes and walking sticks will be permitted. There are exceptions to the wood stick order that permit for wooden handles on signs.
According to the ordinance: “Any person violating subsection (b) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.”
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