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<br /> The following people addressed the Council: <br /> Janet Steinfeld, Main Street, advised the Council the signs displayed <br /> on the car illegally parked in front of 650 Main Street were obscene and <br /> also illegal according to the Redwood City Code as well as the California <br /> Civil and Penal Codes. Mrs. Steinfeld argued there were sufficient laws <br /> on the books to prosecute the protesters who for the most part are from <br /> out of town and are not taxpayers here in Redwood City, that this kind of <br /> advertising is unlawful, and that she had as much right to walk down a <br /> sidewalk in Redwood City unmolested, as the protesters had to free <br /> speech. <br /> Pierette O'Connell, owner of 650 Main Street Building as well as corner <br /> of Marshall and Main, advised the Council that the protesters had been <br /> there for four years, but six or eight months ago began blocking the <br /> sidewalk, screaming, and parking a car in front of the building plastered <br /> with pictures that would not be allowed on TV, and driving clients and <br /> business away from her business as well as her tenants. Mrs. O'Connell <br /> complained that the police have known about it, but have done nothing, <br /> not even ticketing the illegally parked car with the pictures, until <br /> today when the police turned the metered area into a No Parking Area, <br /> taking all parking and unloading away from everyone. Mrs. O'Connell <br /> stated that the situation is now dangerous as little children run into <br /> the street to give literature to drivers of passing cars, and that one <br /> individual yells IIkillerll at her and others as they walk by. Mrs. <br /> O'Connell asked that her rights and the rights of her tenants and clients <br /> be protected as well as the protesters. <br /> Joe Steinfeld, Main Street, described the situation at 650 Main as a <br /> law and order problem and not a conflict over first amendment rights. <br /> Mr. Steinfeld suggested that the police confine the protesters to a <br /> cordoned off area as the courts have done with other pickets. Mr. <br /> Steinfeld stated the people demonstrating at 650 Main were troublemakers <br /> who shoved obscene literature in people's faces and the Redwood City <br /> police should enforce the City's ordinances against those who block <br /> access and those who assaulted him and broke his camera. Mr. Steinfeld <br /> advised the pickets on both sides of the issue are from out of town and <br /> do not represent the decent people who have differing opinions. Mr. <br /> Steinfeld advised there were sufficient statutes regarding reckless <br /> endangerment, public nuisance, disturbing the peace, blocking streets and <br /> sidewalks, etc. and asked the City to stop these vigilantes from taking <br /> over this part of the City. <br /> Mayor La Berge asked Redwood City Police Chief Guardino to provide an <br /> overview of this situation. <br /> Police Chief Guardino advised there is a police presence in the area, <br /> people feel strongly on both sides, and there has been cooperation. <br /> Chief Guardino acknowledged that businesses are being impacted, but <br /> strict enforcement might not be the best way to achieve the stated goals. <br /> Chief Guardino stated the City does have ordinances and codes that could <br /> be enforced, and the City did make 140 plus arrests a few years ago at <br /> Regular Meeting Minutes <br /> MINUTE BOOK NO. 51 August 3, 1992 <br /> Page No. 152 Page 2 <br />