A.
The purpose of this chapter is to reasonably regulate the time, place and manner of demonstration activity in order to protect the right of access to health care facilities and places of worship, and to minimize negative secondary effects of such activity on public safety. The regulations are content neutral and are not intended to and do not restrict the rights of free speech or alternative channels of communication. This chapter leaves ample room for dissemination of ideas through marches, demonstrations, placards and vocal expression, including sidewalk counseling, provided that access to such places is not denied or hindered, line of sight is not obstructed for vehicular traffic, and vehicular traffic upon the adjacent roadway is not impeded by blockage or delay of traffic trying to enter driveways.
B.
In developing this chapter, the city council has been mindful of legal principles relating to regulations protecting access to health care facilities and places of worship. The city council has considered decisions of the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Appellate and Supreme Courts. In particular, the council has considered Schenk v. Pro-Choice Network of Western New York, (1997) 117 S. Ct. 855. It is the intent of the council that this chapter be interpreted so as to be consistent with such case law as it applies to First Amendment protections of demonstration activity.
(Ord. 522 § 1.2, 1997)