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12-17-2007, 11:04 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2
| | | Freeway Demonstration Laws in California
What is the name of your state? CA
I was wondering what the laws are for holding a sign up near a freeway or on a freeway overpass sidewalk.
Can you do freeway demonstrations without permits?
What could the CHP do? What are our rights? What can we do? How about leaving a sign up on an overpass?
We live in Alameda County.
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12-18-2007, 12:09 PM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Washington state
Posts: 10,762
| | | Call the ACLU and ask them. A few years ago some folks in my state were arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, they had hung signs from a freeway overpass, this distracted some drivers and caused a fatal accident. Most states have laws that ban protests in locations that could be considered detrimental to those not participating, a freeway overpass is a perfect example of this.
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12-21-2007, 01:46 PM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: California
Posts: 15,751
| | | You cannot hang signs from the overpasses. A CA Appeals court rules that the overpasses were not a public forum and that Cal-Trans and law enforcement could remove these signs. The logical extension would be that a protest on the overpass could also be seen as unlawful. Certainly the participants would not be permitted to block access to the sidewalk or roadway, and would not be allowed to hang signs over the overpass. Whether local authorities would enforce any local or state laws on such a protest is a question only the local authorities could answer.
- Carl
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12-28-2007, 01:07 PM
| | Junior Member | | Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2
| | | How about Holding signs? Not hanging?
What about from the side of a freeway such as a freeway entrance or exit. |
12-28-2007, 01:38 PM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,635
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by titsandpolitics  How about Holding signs? Not hanging?
What about from the side of a freeway such as a freeway entrance or exit. | Okay, I gotta know, what exactly is it that you are protesting? |
12-28-2007, 03:15 PM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: California
Posts: 15,751
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by titsandpolitics How about Holding signs? Not hanging?
What about from the side of a freeway such as a freeway entrance or exit. | Pedestrians are NOT allowed on the freeway. if you wander down the ramps you will likely be arrested.
HOLDING signs on an overpass might be okay ... I am not aware of any specific law preventing it, but I can see that an argument can be made that it is a dangerous distraction to passing motorists which is one reason why the HANGING signs are forbidden.
Yes, if someone crashes because they were distracted by your sign(s), you COULD be held civilly and maybe even criminally liable.
I would recommend NOT protesting on or around the freeway unless you have an attorney on board who will defend any and all causes of action.
- Carl
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A Nor Cal. Cop Supervisor
"Make mine a double mocha ... and a croissant!"
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! | |
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