http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4801936.html
Good work Minneapolis City Council! Nice to see that "aggressive" panhandling is illegal again! According to the article "Downtown business leaders have expressed support for the ordinance because of the proliferation of panhandlers." It continues: "The proposal makes it illegal to solicit someone in a restroom, at a bus or light-rail stop or shelter, at a crosswalk, in public transportation, at a sidewalk cafe, in a parked or stopped vehicle, or within 20 feet of an ATM." That'll put a stop to it I'm sure. The previous, more obviously unConstitutional law, didn't seem to have any effect on panhandling (99.9% of which was hardly "aggressive" or even very invasive). If I haven't been clear yet. This law is stupid. Why not just let the police continue to arrest people for dancing in the streets if the goal is to further punish the homeless for their plight? In its zeal to stem the tide of this panhandling epidemic has the Council done anything to ensure that my Constitutionally protected right to self-expression (e.g. through dance) isn't completely anulled every time I step onto a public roadway? After all, playing basketball in the street enjoys more protection under Minneapolis Ordinance than dancing. What a waste of time and money to even make laws like this. -Michael Libby, Cleveland Neighborhood, www.andsoforth.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
