I appreciate the City's approach to handling Occupy Lincoln protesters. Rather than reflexively creating rules or ordinances to deal with the folks while they're camped out, the City will wait until they're gone before updating restrictions on the use of Centennial Mall. The protesters simply aren't a big deal right now. Why stir up trouble?
Obviously the rules do need to be changed. As it currently stands, anybody can camp out on Centennial Mall any old time they like. Talk about an invitation for trouble! For that matter, any public right of way is open to camping. I'm not entirely clear on what counts as a "right of way" for these purposes, but isn't the area between the sidewalk and the street generally considered the right of way? Does that mean anybody could camp out just outside my house? That could make for some entertaining methods of protest. Rabble-rousers take note.
For now, though, Lincoln is taking the right approach. Sit back, do some research, and as soon as the coast is clear take reasonable action.
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Overly broad. Saying you can do whatever you want in a public right of way is just leaving it way to open. Example: I am going to park my car in the middle of “O” Street because it is deemed a public right of way. And your example is also correct…but notice how the homeless get quickly moved off of benches and bus stops downtown. And the homeless would not be allowed to just camp on Centennial Mall for any length of time. Nor can I go and have a paintball tournament without permits on Centennial Mall. I mean what if another group wanted to use Centennial Mall today for an open air concert? Would they if they had permits from the city be allowed to clear the tents since they are not supposed to be there. Justification of the issue is just making it worse…cause now others can claim the same for other actions. I want to do this and can do so because I happen to be in a public right of way.
I think this delay has more to do with the make-up of who the protesters are, and who the mayor is and who the majority of the city council members are, than it has anything to do with not wanting to update the rules or restrictions.
If we could just all hang out and do what we want on the public land, then why was there such a fuss about the Heoya (sp?) food truck sitting in one spot for more than a few minutes, or those moving vans that were parked just north of Capital Parkway?
I would have to disagree. I think the main issue driving the prolonged encampment is 1) its really not that big or intrusive, 2) the protesters have been peaceful and law abiding, and most importantly - 3) they want to avoid the media disasters that have occurred in Chicago, Oakland, Denver, etc.
They’re going to wait this one out until the cold weather drives people away. Which seems to be starting….now!
I like your positive spirit.
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