§ 12.30.010. Regulating the possession of certain items at public protests, demonstrations, rallies, picket lines and public assemblies

(a) No person shall carry or possess the following items or articles while attending or participating in any demonstration, rally, protest, picket line or public assembly on public property, public street, or public sidewalk, or within 25 feet of such property:

(1)

Any length of lumber, wood, or wood lath unless that object is one-half inch or less in thickness and two inches in width, or if not general rectangular in shape, such object shall not exceed one inch in its thickest dimension. Both ends of the lumber, wood, or wood lath shall be blunt;

(2)

Any length of metal or plastic pipe, whether hollow or solid, provided, however, that hollow plastic piping not exceeding three-quarters inch in its thickest dimension and not exceeding one-eight inch in wall thickness, and not filled with any material, liquid, gas or solid may be used solely to support a sign, banner, flag, placard or other similar expressive display. Both ends of any plastic pipe permissible under this subsection shall be blunt;

(3)

Baseball or softball bats, regardless of composition or size; provided, however, that such items are permissible when configured solely of cloth, cardboard, soft plastic, foam or paper;

(4)

Any aerosol spray, mace, or pepper spray larger than one-half of an ounce, or tear gas or animal repellant;

(5)

Any projective launcher or other device, such as a catapult or wrist rocket, which is commonly used for the purpose of launching, hurling or throwing any object, liquid, material or other substance, whether through force of air pressure, spring action or any other mechanism, excepting T-shirt and confetti launchers.

(6)

Weapons such as toy or replica firearms unless such toy is florescent colored or transparent, knives except for a folding knife with a blade of 3 inches or less, swords, sabers, or other bladed devices, axes, hatchets, ice picks, razor blades, nunchucks or martial arts weapons of any kind, box cutters, pellet or BB guns, conducted electrical weapons including, but not limited to, Tasers or stun guns, metal/composite/wooden knuckles, or any chain greater than twenty inches in length or one quarter inch in diameter.

(7)

Balloons, bottles, or any other container filled with any flammable, biohazard or other noxious matter which is injurious or nauseous, sickening or irritating to any of the senses, with intent to throw, drop, pour, disperse, deposit, release, discharge or expose the same in, upon or about any demonstration, rally, protest, picket line or public assembly;

(8)

Glass bottles, whether empty or filled;

(9)

Flame torches, lanterns or other devices that utilize combustible materials such as gasoline, kerosene, propane or other fuel sources, not to include candles:

(10)

Shields made of metal, wood, hard plastic or any combinations thereof;

(11)

Bricks, rocks, pieces of asphalt, concrete, pellets, ball bearings, or lengths of chains greater than one-half inch in width and six inches in length.

(b)

When feasible, excluding exigent circumstances, a warning shall be issued before enforcement of the provisions of this section. Such warning shall be sufficient if provided orally, by posted signs, or by amplified announcement.

(c)

Law enforcement officers shall be exempt from the provisions of this section when engaged in the conduct of official duties.

(d)

Nothing in this section shall prohibit an individual from carrying a cane or using a walker or other device necessary for providing mobility so that the person may attend or participate in a public protest, demonstration, rally, picket line or public assembly.

(Ord. No. 4593, § 1, 6-5-2018)