No increased police powers in Berkeley

Speak out at city council against increased police powers. The police should not be given increased authority to intimidate protest groups and Berkeley's homeless population.

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/City_Council/2015/03_Mar/Documents/2015-03-17_Item_19_Berkeley_s_Community.aspx

During the meeting, council will vote on requesting the city manager to draft ordinances which would restrict people's ability to organize for political purposes and would place further restrictions on Berkeley's poor.

Berkeley community organizers were able to defeat the infamous 'sit-lie' law. These new proposed ordinances are a revived effort to restrict public spaces. The proposals intend to outlaw the use of blankets and other sleeping gear from 7AM to 10PM and intend greatly restrict the placement of personal property on public space. Even something as simple as setting down a backpack next to a tree could illicit police response. The proposals would greatly restrict the placement artwork and signs in public spaces, banning placement of objects on any posts, trees, planters, newspaper boxes, etc. These new ordinances are more restrictive than the ill-conceived 'sit-lie' law which was defeated multiple times by the public.

The Berkeley police are already abusing the authority they have against the poor and protesters. They should not be granted extended police powers. Attend city council and speak out against these new proposed ordinances.