Posts tagged Commissioner Ben Pearlman
Boulder protesters need a permit for courthouse camping
Dec 7th
Protesters required to obtain permit for use of Courthouse plaza
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Courthouse plaza has been a venue for protest and assembly for more than 100 years and the Board of County Commissioners strongly supports freedom of expression and rights to peaceful assembly.
For nearly three weeks, a protest group has located tents in the plaza in support of the nationwide Occupy movement and Boulder County has asked only that protesters follow established rules for use of the plaza.
City of Boulder ordinances state that public camping is illegal. Boulder County has not given its permission for overnight and residential use of its property and has supported the city police department’s enforcement of this regulation. Dogs also are not allowed and neither is using the plaza as a restroom.
More than 30 tickets have been issued and arrests have been made for repeat offenders and those with outstanding warrants, but no serious crimes have been reported or observed. Because gatherings of more than 25 persons are required to obtain a permit, Boulder County will be notifying protesters of their need to apply for a permit for use of the Courthouse plaza. Permits generally allow use of the plaza from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. and Boulder County encourages people to freely gather and discuss issues peacefully during those times.
“The ability to assemble and protest is a value we hold in high regard and such an important part of our culture,” Commissioner Ben Pearlman said. “People have experienced unprecedented economic difficulties recently and we respect their desire to gather and protest, whether as part of the Occupy movement or any other cause.
“But we have an obligation to enforce the camping and other regulations in front of the Courthouse to preserve public health and safety, regardless of the subject matter of a given protest or who is participating in it.”
Protesters will be provided with the use of county property policy and the permit application. Conditions of approval may include the protection of health and safety for participants and the public and to mitigate impacts on county property.
Occupy Boulder? Not overnight. No potty, sleeping or dogs, either
Nov 22nd
County enforcing existing rules governing Courthouse plaza
Boulder County, Colo. – The Board of County Commissioners supports peaceful assembly and asks only that protesters follow established rules for use of the Boulder County Courthouse Plaza.
City of Boulder ordinances state that camping is illegal. Boulder County has not given its permission for the installation of tents nor for the overnight and residential use of its property, and supports the city police department’s-
enforcement of this regulation. Dogs also are not allowed and neither is using the plaza as a restroom.
“We absolutely understand people’s desire to gather and protest, whether as part of the Occupy movement or any cause,” Commissioner Ben Pearlman said. “However, in the interest of public health and safety, we can’t allow camping in front of the Courthouse. We apply these rules consistently, no matter the subject, in order to be fair and equitable.”
In addition to the no camping, no dogs and no public urination rules, gatherings of more than 25 persons need to get a permit from Boulder County. Use of that permit is allowed from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Boulder County encourages people to freely gather and discuss issues peacefully during these times.
