St. Paul City Council to withdraw public gathering ordinance

The St. Paul City Council plans to withdraw a proposed ordinance that would put new restrictions on parades and public gatherings after an outcry from event organizers and civil rights groups.

The proposal, sponsored by Council President Amy Brendmoen, would have required a permit for assemblies of five or more people while prohibiting shields, glass bottles, balloons and other ordinary items that could be used as weapons.

"It is clear to me that the level of community input and engagement that we expect was not met before the ordinance was introduced," Brendmoen said in a social media post announcing her plans to withdraw the ordinance at this afternoon's council meeting.

Numerous critics of the ordinance said it infringed on constitutional rights of assembly and expression while doing little to address public safety. The measure does not address the possibility of armed protestors, said some, and it could also be used to target gatherings of Black and brown people.

"It also is incredibly irresponsible and callous to ask protesters to come to protests without the option to bring a shield without asking police to curtail their use of weapons like rubber bullets and batons, given that at least two people that I know of have lost their eyes to police attacks in the last year," wrote St. Paul resident Carrie Pomeroy in an objection filed on the council's website.

Others said the proposal discriminated against the poor because it required a paid permit in order to protest.

The proposed ordinance makes note of violent street protests that have taken place in recent years in Charlottesville, St. Louis, and Minneapolis and St. Paul.

It comes as the city prepares for the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Jury selection for the trial begins March 8.

Brendmoen, in her social media statement, urged the St. Paul Police Department and city attorney's office to rework the language of the proposed ordinance to address people's concerns.

"New language can return to council for consideration once that process is complete," she wrote.

Matt McKinney • 612-673-7329