SF Noise Ordinance to restrict protests with bullhorns passes on first reading

Here is the link to the proposed ordinance:
http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/081119.pdf

San Francisco law allows use of a 10 watt bullhorn without a loudspeaker permit before 10 PM. Many labor unions and protest groups use these bullhorns at their rallies.

Section 2909 (c) of the proposed ordinance will outlaw use of a bullhorn at a union picketing site or protest rally that exceeds 10 db over the ambient level 25 feet from the bullhorn. (This limit does not apply to events for which a loudspeaker permit has been issued by the Entertainment Commission.)

From my experience, almost all bullhorn use at rallies exceeds that decibel level. No warning needs to be given before a citation is written. The sound level need only exceed that decibel level for a few seconds.

No public comment will be allowed at the Nov. 18 meeting. Our best chance of stopping this dangerous ordinance is to email or phone the Supervisors.

Please contact the Board of Supervisors to let them know about your opposition to Section 2909 (c) of this ordinance, and your concern that it could be used by the police to stop labor and political protests.

This is our last chance to stop this dangerous bill from becoming law.

Here are the email addresses of the Board members:

Aaron.Peskin [at] sfgov.org

Jake.McGoldrick [at] sfgov.org

Michela.Alioto-Pier [at] sfgov.org

Tom.Ammiano [at] sfgov.org

Carmen.Chu [at] sfgov.org

Chris.Daly [at] sfgov.org

Bevan.Dufty [at] sfgov.org

Sean.Elsbernd [at] sfgov.org

Sophie.Maxwell [at] sfgov.org

Ross.Mirkarimi [at] sfgov.org

Gerardo.Sandoval [at] sfgov.org



Here are their phone numbers:

Michela Alioto-Pier (415) 554-7752

Tom Ammiano (415) 554-5144

Carmen Chu (415) 554-7460

Chris Daly (415) 554-7970

Bevan Dufty (415) 554-6968

Sean Elsbernd (415) 554-6516

Sophie Maxwell (415) 554-7670

Jake McGoldrick (415) 554-7410

Ross Mirkarimi (415) 554-7630

Aaron Peskin (415) 554-7450

Gerardo Sandoval (415) 554-6975

Here is a sample letter that was emailed to the supervisors:

Dear Supervisor -----

I am 3rd generation San Franciscan and 5th generation Bay Area resident who comes into the city to protest our issues of the day and cherish the openness and liberty given to Constitutional Rights within the city. SF is among the top 10 cities in the US and as such is a vehicle for citizen concerns to be heard and to create visibility for important issues nationally.

Any curtailing of First Amendment Rights locally is troubling, and is quite frankly illegal. The anti-bullhorn ordinance before you now is another troubling manifestation of business interests attempting to circumvent citizen protest, and shut out visible disagreement with their ruthless profit objectives that enslave the working class in poverty or drive young people to die in their empirical wars.

In these modern technological times ACCESS to free speech is as important as free speech and must be considered a component of fulfilling First Amendment rights. If protest cannot be heard you are shutting it down and eliminating effective communications solely to those with deep pockets that can advertise or own media outlets editing what is seen and heard.

Please shut this initiative down. Current laws are sufficient to keep sleeping citizens protected while allowing protest to be heard during daylight hours.