Legal Information

From AnonHouston

Contents 1 Sign Size and Stick Info 2 What the Above Means 3 Your Local ACLU 4 Press Materials/Court Materials 5 Latahm and Watkins Cease and Desist Letters 6 National Protest Blowback

[edit] Sign Size and Stick Info

ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL Sec. 28-33. Carrying clubs, poles, etc., in demonstrations, picket lines, etc.

• No person shall carry or possess while participating in any demonstration, rally, picket line or public assembly, any stick, board, pole, stave, rod, plank, pipe, stud, cane, staff, slat, or similar object unless that object conforms to the following specifications:
  • All objects which are generally rectangular in shape shall not exceed one-fourth inch in thickness and two inches in width.
  • All objects which are not generally rectangular in shape shall not exceed three-quarters inch in their thickest dimension.
  • All objects must be constructed of wood, wood products, or other cellulose materials.
  • The fact that an object described in subsection (a) forms a component part of a sign or placard does not exempt it from coverage under this section.
  • It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the object is used as an ambulatory aid and that the actor has a valid medical need for such aid.
  • (Code 1968, § 28-71; Ord. No. 78-2357, § 1, 11-29-78)

Cross references: Parades, § 45-231 et seq.

ARTICLE III. PUBLIC GATHERINGS Sec. 32-61. Public gatherings permit areas.

• No permit shall be required to use the parks or to hold any public meeting or gathering except in the following designated areas of the parks:
  • Any building or facility for which a rental fee is imposed by the city pursuant to section 32-69 of this Code;
  • Any baseball field, basketball court, tennis court, swimming pool, golf course, or other area specifically designated and equipped for sporting or recreational events, whether a rental fee is imposed pursuant to section 32-69 of this Code therefor or not;
  • The Houston Zoo;
  • The Houston Arboretum;
  • Any other improved and specially maintained area so designated by a rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to section 32-5 of this Code.
  • The director shall maintain in each of the parks a map of the areas designated in or pursuant to subsection (a) of this section as applicable to that park. A complete list of the parks with designated areas shown thereon shall be maintained in the offices of the director and the city secretary.

(c) Use of the areas designated in or pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be on a first-come first-served basis. The director shall cause all completed written applications received pursuant to section 32-63 of this Code to be immediately time stamped upon their actual receipt by his office. The first in time shall be the first in right, provided that if two or more conflicting applications are received simultaneously, then the precedence shall be determined by an impartial means of chance.

[edit] What the Above Means

• Sticks used to hold up signs rules (object)
  • Rectangular Shape - may be no wider that 2", no thicker than 1/4"
  • Not generally rectangular in shape(read:round) - no thicker than 3/4" at its thickest dimension
  • must be constructed of wood/wood-product/cellulose materials
  • even if it is attached to a sign(or not).. it is still subject to above.

[edit] Your Local ACLU

ACLU of Texas
Executive Director: Terri Burke
P.O. Box 12905
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: 512-478-7300
Email: info@aclutx.org

[edit] Press Materials/Court Materials

• Every Court paper you would want to read
• Press Release in response to Co$ injunction (read: infringment)

[edit] Latahm and Watkins Cease and Desist Letters

see full article here Latham and Watkins Letter

[edit] National Protest Blowback

• Atlanta (courtesy of the WOG Blog, not sure where he got it)