Freeway Demonstration Laws in California

[titsandpolitics]

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.

Thanks

[racer72]

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.

[CdwJava]

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

[titsandpolitics]

How about Holding signs? Not hanging?

What about from the side of a freeway such as a freeway entrance or exit.

[fairisfair]

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?

[CdwJava]

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