S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY
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INSIDE 400-FOOT MURAL COMING TO BEACH AS PART OF SANTA MONICA’S ARTS MONTH
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April 9 – April 15, 2021 Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88
Santa Monica Lawmakers to Consider Banning Certain Items at Protests City Council to take up emergency ordinance next week By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica lawmakers will consider banning certain items from protests and public demonstrations. On Tuesday April 13, Santa Monica City Council will take up an emergency ordinance proposed by Interim City Attorney George Cardona and Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks “relating to restrictions on carrying, using, or possessing certain specified items during community events or public assemblies to promote public safety and welfare.” Under the legislation, wooden sticks, metal and plastic pipes, baseball bats, aerosol sprays, weapons, glass bottles, shields, bricks and rocks would be prohibited at protests, public assemblies and community events. As an emergency ordinance, if the law passes with at least five votes, it will become effective immediately. While not explicitly mentioned in the
ordinance, the proposal comes as police departments across the country brace for potential unrest as the trial against Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged with killing George Floyd, is underway in Minneapolis. On May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica rioters, taking advantage of a peaceful protest against the killing of Floyd, looted hundreds of Santa Monica businesses. The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) was criticized for its response to the event, at one point firing tear gas and rubber bullets on a crowd of protestors while just blocks away looters tore through downtown Santa Monica. In a report, city staff also cited concern over violent protests that have occured over the past few years in Washington, D.C.; Charlottesville, Virginia; St. Louis, Missouri; Portland, Oregon, Berkeley, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland. “out of concern that the City could see occurrences of violence arising from otherwise peaceful protests similar to those experienced in the cities referenced above and here in Santa Monica in May 2020, the Santa Monica Police Department asks the City Council to adopt an ordinance revising SMMC Section 4.08.780 to
Protestors at Palisades Park in Santa Monica on May 31, 2020.
implement a ban at community events and public assemblies on the carrying or possession of items that can readily be weaponized and serve no legitimate purpose at a peaceful protest, public assembly, or community event,” reads a staff
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
report. “Adopting such an ordinance will further the goal of ensuring that community members may continue to exercise their constitutional rights to engage in expressive activities without
Protests, see page 5
Bonin Proposes Palisades Homeless Shelter Temporary site for tinyhomes or safe camping at Will Rogers State Beach parking lot? By Sam Catanzaro
LA City Councilmember Mike Bonin has proposed bringing a homeless shelter to Pacific Palisades.
On March 31, Bonin introduced a motion to Los Angeles City Council that would evaluate the feasibility of bringing a variety of projects to combat homelessness to locations across the Westside. “To end homelessness and sidewalk encampments, we need more housing, more shelter, and more services,” Bonin said. “On the Westside, we have added permanent supportive housing, interim housing, and bridge housing. We have leased or purchased hotel rooms. We have opened safe parking, safe camping, and
Homeless Shelter, see page 4
Photo: Getty
The parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach that could become a site for safe camping or tiny homes.
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