APRIL 26, 2016: First Draft/Notes by @ZumaDogg regarding Public Comment during L.A. City meetings (#LAPD Commission/#LA City Council). This is a work in progress, that I will be updating/adding to, in preparation of a document, to be presented to Hon. Judge Dean D. Pregerson:
To: Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City Attorney's Office
Fr: "Zuma Dogg"
Re: Public Comment During LAPD Commission & City Council Meetings
Dt: April 26, 2016
Dear L.A. City Attorney's Office,
My name is, "Zuma Dogg." On August 08, 2013, I won a Federal ruling, by Hon Judge Dean D. Pregerson, regarding public comment at the Los Angeles City Council meetings. The ruling (declaratory relief) explains what is allowed during public forum meetings, such as Police/City Council meetings, during public comment time. HERE is an excerpt from the ruling:
ZumaDogg.com – UNITED STATES/CALIFORNIA/FEDERAL/COURT: FEDERAL RULING (AUGUST 08, 2013) – Zuma Dogg vs Los Angeles City Council: “It is unconstitutional to restrict speakers from making personal attacks in City Council meetings; it chills speech critical of elected officials, which is speech at the heart of the First Amendment. In one of the largest cities in the world, it is to be expected that some inhabitants will sometimes use language that does not conform to conventions of civility and decorum, including offensive language and swear-words. As an elected official, a City Council member will be the subject of personal attacks in such language. It is asking much of City Council members, who have given themselves to public service, to tolerate profanities and personal attacks, but that is what is required by the First Amendment. While the City Council has a right to keep its meetings on topic and moving forward, it cannot sacrifice political speech to a formula of civility. Dogg “may be a gadfly to those with views contrary to [their] own, but First Amendment jurisprudence is clear that the way to oppose offensive speech is by more speech, not censorship, enforced silence or eviction from legitimately occupied public space.” Gathright v. City of 18 Portland, Or., 439 F.3d 573, 578 (9th Cir. 2006). The city that silences a critic will injure itself as much as it injures the critic, for the gadfly’s task is to stir into life the massive beast of the city, to “rouse each and every one of you, to persuade and reproach you all day long.” (#PLATO, Five Dialogues, Hackett, 23 2d Ed., Trans. G.M.A. Grube, 35 (Apology).) 24 The court GRANTS summary judgment to Plaintiffs on the as-applied challenge to the Rules of Decorum.” (Entire ruling embedded at bottom of this page.)
Since this ruling, I haven't been attending LAPD/Council meetings; but I made a return, Friday, April 1, 2016, to deliver my respects to Councilman Bill Rosendahl, during general public comment time, at the Council meeting. Since that meeting, I've attended every city council meeting (nine meetings, as of April 22, 2016); along with one LAPD Commission meeting, on April 26, 2016.
OVERALL, it is my belief that both meetings (LAPD/Council) are in massive violation of Pregerson's Federal ruling.
The City's own rules, posted online, do not reflect Judge Pregerson's ruling (old rules are posted) and it is misleading to the public. SEE PAGE 3 (12. RULES OF DECORUM): http://clerk.lacity.org/stellent/groups/departments/@clerk_cps_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_026042.pdf
The City's own rules, posted online, do not reflect Judge Pregerson's ruling (old rules are posted) and it is misleading to the public. SEE PAGE 3 (12. RULES OF DECORUM): http://clerk.lacity.org/stellent/groups/departments/@clerk_cps_contributor/documents/contributor_web_content/lacityp_026042.pdf
I am currently going through audio/video of all of the council meetings, and LAPD Commission meetings, over past two months; and pulling examples, hopefully for a judge to review. LINK TO L.A. City Council meeting video archives of all meetings described below: https://www.lacity.org/city-government/elected-official-offices/city-council/council-and-committee-meetings/council-meeting (Specific links/audio will also be provided, below.)
Some issues of concern are:
# OVERALL PUBLIC COMMENT TIME CUT: In response to Hon. Dean D. Pregerson's Federal ruling, regarding L.A. City Council and public comment time (what is allowed/not allowed), City Council retaliated by cutting overall public comment time, for each meeting; from seven minutes to five minutes. And general public comment time was cut in half; from two minutes to one minute.
Five minutes is a fixed and arbitrary number. Some agendas have an abundance of items, compared to other days. A floating number of total minutes, for each meeting, based on the number of items (in a percentage, which may have to be determined by the judge) is a more rational and reasonable method of determining overall minutes allowed, by members of the public. It is extremely restrictive, and is indeed a form of censorship; in having to choose between 30-50 (or more) agenda items.
Though it may be unreasonable to expect council to have to endure fifty Zuma Dogg public comments, per meeting; it is also unreasonable and restrictive for Mr. Dogg (or any member of the public) to have to chose between so many important municipal issues, that will have an effect and impact on myself (and others who I care about).
While the city has paid presentations (non-agenda items/non city business=paid infomercials for people getting the presentation) during all council meetings -- adding an extra one to two hours to each and every meeting: Then, they say that they only have time for one minute for general public comment.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016, council had time for lengthy comments on how much they love the 80's band, Oingo Boingo, during the, "Oingo Boingo Day," presentation (See video of Koretz/O'Ferrell/Huizar: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=&clip_id=15770&caption_id=20568905). It was beyond superfluous. This was only one of three presentations, this meeting. Here's Mitch O'Ferrell's lengthy comments about his memories of Oingo Boingo: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=&clip_id=15770&caption_id=20569372
Additionally, city councilmembers respond to public comment speakers, with more than fifty words, as limited by Brown Act; and speak for more than the three minutes, allotted for councilmembers, per comment. Then, they claim there is only time for members of the public to speak for one minute.
Members of the public have to take off the whole morning, into the afternoon to attend the meetings. Transportation and parking expenses must be considered, too. Then to have to sit through hours of presentations; to only have a minute of time to speak on complex issues of the city is unreasonable. I, Zuma Dogg, am known to be a most efficient public comment speaker (based on my radio DJ background, probably).
I can say, it not only disenfranchising, to only have a minute to speak; you really can't tell the story and offer a solution in a reasonable fashion, with only a minute. Even Zuma Dogg gets flustered and feels rushed. It unreasonable to expect a member of the public to be able to present a compelling comment in that short period of time.
General Public Comment is an agenda item; and all the other agenda items allow for two minutes of public comment time. Why should general public comment time be shorter and more restrictive? LAPD meetings allow two minutes. LAUSD/Board of Supervisors allow three minutes.
There was no justification to reduce the publics' comment time. The only condition that has changed is the Federal ruling. All other factors remain constant. (With the exception of more Presentations, than in previous years; when Presentations were only on Friday.) INSTRUCT COUNCIL TO RETURN GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT TO TWO MINUTES.
Five minutes is a fixed and arbitrary number. Some agendas have an abundance of items, compared to other days. A floating number of total minutes, for each meeting, based on the number of items (in a percentage, which may have to be determined by the judge) is a more rational and reasonable method of determining overall minutes allowed, by members of the public. It is extremely restrictive, and is indeed a form of censorship; in having to choose between 30-50 (or more) agenda items.
Though it may be unreasonable to expect council to have to endure fifty Zuma Dogg public comments, per meeting; it is also unreasonable and restrictive for Mr. Dogg (or any member of the public) to have to chose between so many important municipal issues, that will have an effect and impact on myself (and others who I care about).
While the city has paid presentations (non-agenda items/non city business=paid infomercials for people getting the presentation) during all council meetings -- adding an extra one to two hours to each and every meeting: Then, they say that they only have time for one minute for general public comment.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016, council had time for lengthy comments on how much they love the 80's band, Oingo Boingo, during the, "Oingo Boingo Day," presentation (See video of Koretz/O'Ferrell/Huizar: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=&clip_id=15770&caption_id=20568905). It was beyond superfluous. This was only one of three presentations, this meeting. Here's Mitch O'Ferrell's lengthy comments about his memories of Oingo Boingo: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=&clip_id=15770&caption_id=20569372
Additionally, city councilmembers respond to public comment speakers, with more than fifty words, as limited by Brown Act; and speak for more than the three minutes, allotted for councilmembers, per comment. Then, they claim there is only time for members of the public to speak for one minute.
Members of the public have to take off the whole morning, into the afternoon to attend the meetings. Transportation and parking expenses must be considered, too. Then to have to sit through hours of presentations; to only have a minute of time to speak on complex issues of the city is unreasonable. I, Zuma Dogg, am known to be a most efficient public comment speaker (based on my radio DJ background, probably).
I can say, it not only disenfranchising, to only have a minute to speak; you really can't tell the story and offer a solution in a reasonable fashion, with only a minute. Even Zuma Dogg gets flustered and feels rushed. It unreasonable to expect a member of the public to be able to present a compelling comment in that short period of time.
General Public Comment is an agenda item; and all the other agenda items allow for two minutes of public comment time. Why should general public comment time be shorter and more restrictive? LAPD meetings allow two minutes. LAUSD/Board of Supervisors allow three minutes.
There was no justification to reduce the publics' comment time. The only condition that has changed is the Federal ruling. All other factors remain constant. (With the exception of more Presentations, than in previous years; when Presentations were only on Friday.) INSTRUCT COUNCIL TO RETURN GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT TO TWO MINUTES.
#PRESENTATIONS: As mentioned above are paid presentations. Not (actual) city business. The agenda says the meetings start at 10:15 am. To have an hour, or sometimes two hours, of presentations, during the city council meetings is more than a member of the public, to give public comment should be forced to endure. It's irrational and unreasonable. Members of the public, who must sit in chambers, waiting; can't have food/drinks brought to them, as councilmembers do; and don't have a private room, in back, to hang out and listen to the meeting, like a VIP room -- and the public speakers get burnt out and irritated (which is often times reflected in the comments by the speakers); and many people have to leave, before they get to comment.
Council weaves in and out of the meeting (agenda items/city business), for presentations. INSTRUCT COUNCIL TO MOVE PRESENTATIONS TO END OF THE MEETINGS, AFTER ALL AGENDA ITEMS ARE COMPLETED. Sometimes, council loses a quorum, before all agenda items have been called; due to lengthy presentations, beforehand.
RE: SPEAKER ASKING QUESTIONS AT APRIL 26, 2016 LAPD POLICE COMMISSION MEETING: Public comment speaker, Tut Hayes, is giving public comment on agenda item 4. He is asking questions. At first, some of the board is responsive and answering Mr. Tut's questions. (They are not required to respond or answer.) Commissioner Stever Soboroff interrupts and instructs Mr. Hayes to address the commission (as opposed to individuals on the board.) #LAPD Chief Charlie Beck interrupts the recognized speaker, Mr. Hayes; and tells Hayes that he is not allowed to ask questions. (Beck turned his mic down, for the TV, but you can hear his interruption.) Commissioner Soboroff echos the sentiment; and adds that speaker must address the board. (As opposed to addressing individuals, with questions.) This is all in violation of a Federal order the City of Los Angeles lost in August 2013. After Mr. Hayes time is up; he engages in some more dialouge and is warned by the commissioner. That is on this audio, as well; but not part of the violation. If a commissioner wants a boardmember to stop speaking (answering questions), the commissioner must walk over to boardmember and tell him to stop. NOT interrupt the speaker to tell speaker they cannot form their speech as a question.
(AUDIO): Cued to Tut Hayes public comment: http://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/tut-hayes-interrupted-by-lapd-police-com
(VIDEO): Forward video to 00:48:00: http://www.lacityview.org/programs/on-demand/lapd-commission-meeting-04-26-16-apr-26-2016
# ADDRESSING MEMBERS, DIRECTLY [See also: # Speaker Questions]: Council Pro-Tempe Mitchell Englander, upon my first public comment he presided over, said, "Our first speaker is Zuma Dogg. And before we begin, I'd like to remind the speakers that they are not allowed to address the councilmembers, directly." THIS IS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE RULING, and was the heart of the lawsuit matter.During this same warning, by Englander; he says, "Speakers must stick to ITEMS under City Council purview." It was GENERAL public comment, specifically for NON AGENDA ITEMS.
To say speaker must stick to items, during general public comment time, is irrational and confusing for the speaker. A speaker could say, "I think council is doing a poor enough job, overall, that you should all resign, in the name of public safety." That is a general comment, that is allowed, yet not an item. And, for Mr. Englander to flagrantly make this statement, before Mr. Dogg's comment, may be seen as a poke in the eye to Judge Pregerson, as well.
During Mr. Dogg's comment, Englander interrupts the recognized speaker (Dogg), to say, "Don’t yell." "Don't yell," is too subjective and vague. Englander's interruption of, "Don't yell," does not indicate to Mr. Dogg, that he is yelling. The vagueness may be interpreted as a preemptive warning not to begin yelling. Even if Dogg's speaking volume were in some kind of free speech violation; Englander needed to say, "you are yelling in violation of (ordinance/law) and stop yelling." Mr. Dogg interprets it as a mere tactic to try and censor the speaker and prevent what is being said, from being heard by the public and put on the record. And, burn up the time. AUDIO OF THIS INCIDENT: https://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/zumadogg-vs-mitchenglander-lacitycouncil?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=widget
[NOTE: # SPEAKER QUESTIONS & # ADDRESSING MEMBERS DIRECTLY are related because it is usually a speaker question, that triggers an, "address the board as a whole," response. The audio/video for one section, supports the other, in each incident.]
Council weaves in and out of the meeting (agenda items/city business), for presentations. INSTRUCT COUNCIL TO MOVE PRESENTATIONS TO END OF THE MEETINGS, AFTER ALL AGENDA ITEMS ARE COMPLETED. Sometimes, council loses a quorum, before all agenda items have been called; due to lengthy presentations, beforehand.
# OFF TOPIC (BUILDING & SAFETY ITEM) INCIDENT 1: Being called, "off topic," when not, as a form of censorship: The presiding officer/attorney is not expected to have all the specific knowledge/information that all the gadflies are presenting. Just because the city attorney or council president doesn't think a speaker is on topic, does not mean they are not. I didn't understand the correlations my geometry teacher was making, but they weren't off topic. It's too short a trigger being pulled, too often; and the judge has already called this, "censorship of the public." (*SEE RULING EXCERPT AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.)
ENGLANDER CALLING ZUMA DOGG OFF TOPIC (AUDIO): https://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/zuma-dogg-called-off-topic-public-commen?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=widget
# OFF TOPIC (MENTAL ILLNESS ITEM) INCIDENT 2: Zuma Dogg called off topic. Though he was outraged (and extra cranky, after sitting though Presentations, waiting to speak on agenda items); and his delivery of comment was expressive, of this outrage; he was at no time off topic. Mr. Dogg is someone who was damaged by the city; in a way that affected his income; causing his homelessness; and eventual disability medical diagnosis, regarding mental health issues, that Mr. Dogg correlates to city policy; as he sat through years of council meetings, watching their policies that result in the homelessness that causes mental illness. (Council was making correlation between homelessness and mental illness, which is why I mentioned it, here.) Mr. Dogg stops speaking on the buzzer, and exits the podium area. He is then ejected for the rest of the meeting, losing remaining public comment time (general public comment.)
IT MUST BE NOTED that during this council meeting, at some point, the audio of council president and city attorney was not audible in chambers. Mr. Dogg could not hear any of what was being heard on the audio feed. He was taking instruction/direction from the LAPD sergeant at arms, who is seen moving the mic, back and forth; and was looking at the clock that was still ticking, throughout the entire comment, and was not stopped, at any time.
Additionally, Ms. Martinez makes audible mention that this is the reason they need this mental health item passed, in reference to Mr. Dogg. This may be interpreted as slander, since Ms. Martinez is not a mental health expert or medical doctor.
VIDEO: See Zuma Dogg Public Comment, following Councilman Busciano speech (CLICK ITEM 26): http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=129&clip_id=15779 (Mr. Dogg comment begins at 2:57:30. You can forward to start of comment). HERE IS AUDIO-ONLY (cued to item): http://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/zuma-dogg-called-off-topic-item-26-april
Also note (in video), though may not be easily visible; Councilman Paul Krekorian, who does not preside over the meetings, in any way, interrupts Mr. Dogg, during his comment time. Mr. Krekorian was extremely disruptive to the recognized speaker. INSTRUCT KREKORAIN NOT TO VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW and do not disrupt the L.A. City Council meetings.
# OFF TOPIC (DENIM DAY) INCIDENT 3: Many speakers called off topic and cut off. See Item 30: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=129&clip_id=15770
# SPEAKER QUESTIONS [See also: # Addressing Members Directly]: Being interrupted by City Attorney/Presiding Officer, when recognized speaker (public comment speaker) asks questions. If the Brown Act allows for a fifty word (or less) response to a speaker's public comment, then of course, the speaker may ask questions, a loud, during their comment.
The council/commission may choose to not respond; but, to interrupt and say they are not allowed to ask questions -- and then to cut the rest of their time is a violation of the ruling. Perhaps, the speaker is using rhetorical questions, to make a point, as their form of free speech expression. Again, the board does not have to respond; and speaker should not be interrupted and cut off, for asking questions.
ENGLANDER CALLING ZUMA DOGG OFF TOPIC (AUDIO): https://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/zuma-dogg-called-off-topic-public-commen?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=widget
# OFF TOPIC (MENTAL ILLNESS ITEM) INCIDENT 2: Zuma Dogg called off topic. Though he was outraged (and extra cranky, after sitting though Presentations, waiting to speak on agenda items); and his delivery of comment was expressive, of this outrage; he was at no time off topic. Mr. Dogg is someone who was damaged by the city; in a way that affected his income; causing his homelessness; and eventual disability medical diagnosis, regarding mental health issues, that Mr. Dogg correlates to city policy; as he sat through years of council meetings, watching their policies that result in the homelessness that causes mental illness. (Council was making correlation between homelessness and mental illness, which is why I mentioned it, here.) Mr. Dogg stops speaking on the buzzer, and exits the podium area. He is then ejected for the rest of the meeting, losing remaining public comment time (general public comment.)
IT MUST BE NOTED that during this council meeting, at some point, the audio of council president and city attorney was not audible in chambers. Mr. Dogg could not hear any of what was being heard on the audio feed. He was taking instruction/direction from the LAPD sergeant at arms, who is seen moving the mic, back and forth; and was looking at the clock that was still ticking, throughout the entire comment, and was not stopped, at any time.
Additionally, Ms. Martinez makes audible mention that this is the reason they need this mental health item passed, in reference to Mr. Dogg. This may be interpreted as slander, since Ms. Martinez is not a mental health expert or medical doctor.
VIDEO: See Zuma Dogg Public Comment, following Councilman Busciano speech (CLICK ITEM 26): http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=129&clip_id=15779 (Mr. Dogg comment begins at 2:57:30. You can forward to start of comment). HERE IS AUDIO-ONLY (cued to item): http://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/zuma-dogg-called-off-topic-item-26-april
Also note (in video), though may not be easily visible; Councilman Paul Krekorian, who does not preside over the meetings, in any way, interrupts Mr. Dogg, during his comment time. Mr. Krekorian was extremely disruptive to the recognized speaker. INSTRUCT KREKORAIN NOT TO VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW and do not disrupt the L.A. City Council meetings.
# OFF TOPIC (DENIM DAY) INCIDENT 3: Many speakers called off topic and cut off. See Item 30: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=129&clip_id=15770
# SPEAKER QUESTIONS [See also: # Addressing Members Directly]: Being interrupted by City Attorney/Presiding Officer, when recognized speaker (public comment speaker) asks questions. If the Brown Act allows for a fifty word (or less) response to a speaker's public comment, then of course, the speaker may ask questions, a loud, during their comment.
The council/commission may choose to not respond; but, to interrupt and say they are not allowed to ask questions -- and then to cut the rest of their time is a violation of the ruling. Perhaps, the speaker is using rhetorical questions, to make a point, as their form of free speech expression. Again, the board does not have to respond; and speaker should not be interrupted and cut off, for asking questions.
RE: SPEAKER ASKING QUESTIONS AT APRIL 26, 2016 LAPD POLICE COMMISSION MEETING: Public comment speaker, Tut Hayes, is giving public comment on agenda item 4. He is asking questions. At first, some of the board is responsive and answering Mr. Tut's questions. (They are not required to respond or answer.) Commissioner Stever Soboroff interrupts and instructs Mr. Hayes to address the commission (as opposed to individuals on the board.) #LAPD Chief Charlie Beck interrupts the recognized speaker, Mr. Hayes; and tells Hayes that he is not allowed to ask questions. (Beck turned his mic down, for the TV, but you can hear his interruption.) Commissioner Soboroff echos the sentiment; and adds that speaker must address the board. (As opposed to addressing individuals, with questions.) This is all in violation of a Federal order the City of Los Angeles lost in August 2013. After Mr. Hayes time is up; he engages in some more dialouge and is warned by the commissioner. That is on this audio, as well; but not part of the violation. If a commissioner wants a boardmember to stop speaking (answering questions), the commissioner must walk over to boardmember and tell him to stop. NOT interrupt the speaker to tell speaker they cannot form their speech as a question.
(AUDIO): Cued to Tut Hayes public comment: http://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/tut-hayes-interrupted-by-lapd-police-com
(VIDEO): Forward video to 00:48:00: http://www.lacityview.org/programs/on-demand/lapd-commission-meeting-04-26-16-apr-26-2016
# ADDRESSING MEMBERS, DIRECTLY [See also: # Speaker Questions]: Council Pro-Tempe Mitchell Englander, upon my first public comment he presided over, said, "Our first speaker is Zuma Dogg. And before we begin, I'd like to remind the speakers that they are not allowed to address the councilmembers, directly." THIS IS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE RULING, and was the heart of the lawsuit matter.During this same warning, by Englander; he says, "Speakers must stick to ITEMS under City Council purview." It was GENERAL public comment, specifically for NON AGENDA ITEMS.
To say speaker must stick to items, during general public comment time, is irrational and confusing for the speaker. A speaker could say, "I think council is doing a poor enough job, overall, that you should all resign, in the name of public safety." That is a general comment, that is allowed, yet not an item. And, for Mr. Englander to flagrantly make this statement, before Mr. Dogg's comment, may be seen as a poke in the eye to Judge Pregerson, as well.
During Mr. Dogg's comment, Englander interrupts the recognized speaker (Dogg), to say, "Don’t yell." "Don't yell," is too subjective and vague. Englander's interruption of, "Don't yell," does not indicate to Mr. Dogg, that he is yelling. The vagueness may be interpreted as a preemptive warning not to begin yelling. Even if Dogg's speaking volume were in some kind of free speech violation; Englander needed to say, "you are yelling in violation of (ordinance/law) and stop yelling." Mr. Dogg interprets it as a mere tactic to try and censor the speaker and prevent what is being said, from being heard by the public and put on the record. And, burn up the time. AUDIO OF THIS INCIDENT: https://www.spreaker.com/user/streetfitla/zumadogg-vs-mitchenglander-lacitycouncil?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=widget
[NOTE: # SPEAKER QUESTIONS & # ADDRESSING MEMBERS DIRECTLY are related because it is usually a speaker question, that triggers an, "address the board as a whole," response. The audio/video for one section, supports the other, in each incident.]
# SINGING (PROTECTED SPEECH): Cyndi Lauper Star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame (Agenda Item): To let people know who Cyndi Lauper is, and the song she is best known for, for her star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame (that needed council approval); Mr. Dogg began singing, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," at which time Council President Herb Wesson interrupted Mr. Dogg and said, "That's enough!," even though Mr. Dogg had not even gotten to the hook. (I know this may seem trivial, but it's not to Zuma Dogg. This REALLY is annoying and it all chips away at the nerves of the speaker.) VIDEO: http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=&clip_id=15697&meta_id=288699
# EARLY CUT OFFS (STEPPING ON SPEAKERS WITH, "THANK YOU!," WITH TIME ON THE CLOCK): Council President Herb Wesson has a regular habit of thanking speaker Zuma Dogg, while there is still time on the clock. Please instruct Mr. Wesson to wait until the buzzer sounds, before thanking the speaker. It is during the final seconds, when Mr. Dogg has most momentum and is making final points -- many times the points council wants the public to hear, least. It's a form of censorship. Speaker should be able to finish their sentence, upon the buzzer, as well, before any, "thank you, thank you, thank you" on the part of Wesson. (Multiple examples can be cited.)
# SPEECH VOLUME: A public speaker does not lose constitutional rights, just because of the city's cheap mic/sound system. Many examples of Presiding Officer interrupting Mr. Dogg to tell him he is speaking too loudly; and can't be heard on the mic; and that the interpreters can't hear. Actually, the mic accommodates the speakers' volume of speech, just fine. I don't hear distortion/feedback. It comes off as an excuse/way to interrupt speaker, when they have momentum. This is a form of censorship.
City Council #RULE 93 (See full Rule 93. Scroll to page 24): City Council is in violation of Rule 93 that states, "Cameras shall be operated so that they are focused only on the officially recognized speaker, and on any visually displayed information being shown. No 'reaction' shots will be permitted."
Council (as aired in chambers and on City TV 35) runs a long shot of the public comment speakers, while council gets close ups. Rule 93 says camera must be focused on recognized speaker. When public comment speaker is speaking, at the podium, during their recognized time; they are the recognized speaker. A long shot of the chambers is a violation of Rule 93. Additionally, with a long shot of the chamber, no visual information (such as graph or picture) that is being displayed can be seen by viewers. When the council president or city attorney interrupts the recognized public comment speaker; the camera cuts to a close-up ('reaction' shot) of the president's/city attorney's reaction. This, too, is a violation.
Have Council President instruct TV 35 camera operator to give public comment speakers the same camera shot, as they do councilmembers/city attorney.
VIDEO OF ZUMA DOGG on RULE 93 (General Public Comment of April 13, 2016 Council Meeting). SEE CAMERA SHOT AND HEAR Mr. Dogg's EXPLANATION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muux69NRb4U
Council (as aired in chambers and on City TV 35) runs a long shot of the public comment speakers, while council gets close ups. Rule 93 says camera must be focused on recognized speaker. When public comment speaker is speaking, at the podium, during their recognized time; they are the recognized speaker. A long shot of the chambers is a violation of Rule 93. Additionally, with a long shot of the chamber, no visual information (such as graph or picture) that is being displayed can be seen by viewers. When the council president or city attorney interrupts the recognized public comment speaker; the camera cuts to a close-up ('reaction' shot) of the president's/city attorney's reaction. This, too, is a violation.
Have Council President instruct TV 35 camera operator to give public comment speakers the same camera shot, as they do councilmembers/city attorney.
VIDEO OF ZUMA DOGG on RULE 93 (General Public Comment of April 13, 2016 Council Meeting). SEE CAMERA SHOT AND HEAR Mr. Dogg's EXPLANATION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Muux69NRb4U
PLEASE INSTRUCT ALL CITY ATTORNEYS WHO PRESIDE OVER LAPD/COUNCIL MEETINGS -- AND ALL PRESIDING OFFICERS (Beck/Soboroff/O'Connell/Deputy City Attorneys, sitting in for Council & LAPD Commission meetings/Wesson/Englander/N. Martinez): DO NOT VIOLATE ZUMA DOGG'S RIGHTS; AND DO NOT VIOLATE THE FEDERAL COURT ORDER.
I would like to schedule a meeting with City Attorney Mike Feuer (or the appropriate city attorney) to discuss the resolution of these matters.
Zuma Dogg
ZumaDogg.com
ZumaDogg@Gmail.com
Zuma Dogg
ZumaDogg.com
ZumaDogg@Gmail.com
EMBEDDED PDF DOCUMENT OF ENTIRE RULING:
Scroll to PAGE 29 (D. Rules of Decorum)
*=EXCERPT of Hon. Dean D. Pregerson's ruling (CV 09-06731), on decorum/address councilmembers directly; referenced in regards to Mitch Englander's warning to not address councilmembers, directly. Comments directed to individual members of the City Council are protected by the First Amendment. Other portions of the Order support Dogg's argument, as well.
EXCERPT: For instance, in Incident No. 4., on Sept. 2, 2009, Plaintiff
Dowd addresses the City Council and says “First of all, your
president is pathetic and hopeless and is not doing a very good job
and you need to get together and lose her because, because see when
Eric is not here - sit down [Councilman] LaBonge, just sit down.”
(Joint Statement RE Incident No. 4 at 1.) Council members then
discuss the incident with City Attorney Dion O’Connell who advises
them as follows: “The speaker should not engage in personal attacks
on the councilmembers. He can speak about the performance of the
City services and the councilmembers but not engage in personal
attacks.” (Id.) Dowd begins speaking again.
DOWD: See when it’s just me it’s I, Matthew Dowd and
when I’m talking to you that’s the part that’s
not allowed but when I’m talking about you
that’s the third person and you did it to me
yesterday so I’m filing on the decorum. I got
to sue for the 42.15 you are still using the
words inextricably intertwined but there’s no
guidelines for what that fucking means. I am
tired. . . .
PERRY: Thank you very much, that is the end of your
time now.11
LABONGE: He should be removed.
PERRY: Okay, thank you.
LABONGE: He should be removed from the meeting.
PERRY: Mr. Officer if you can please escort Mr. Dowd
to the door. Thank you very much.
. . .
O’CONNELL:It is within the Council’s discretion to ban
him from attending, or from speaking, he can
attend the meetings but he can’t speak for a
certain amount of time. In the past it has
been 3 days, then since the new Council rules,
Council can ban him for up to 30 days.
PERRY: Would someone like to make a motion.
ZINE: I make a motion for 30 days.
The council then voted 11 to 1 to ban him for 30 days.
The City argues that “Dowd’s actions disrupted the meeting by
shifting the focus to the speaker’s improper language and conduct
rather than the issues and business before the Council. His
personal attacks directed toward individual Councilmembers did not
further the governmental process or enlighten either the Council or
the public regarding items of City business, they simply delayed
the City Council meeting and impeded the City Council’s ability to
efficiently complete its business.” (Defendant’s Position on
Incident No. 4 at 1.) The court disagrees. Calling the Council
president “pathetic and hopeless” and saying she is “not doing a
very good job and you need to get together and lose her” is
political speech at the heart of the First Amendment. As
Councilwoman Perry says during the incident, “Whether I like what
he has to say or not, which I actually don’t like, . . . he still
has the right to say it.” (Joint Statement RE Incident No. 4 at
2.) While the frustration of Councilmemebers is understandable, so
is the frustration of Dowd at experiencing an interruption that
“broke[] [his] whole thread.” (Id.)
The City does not point to, nor does the court discern in the
video, any disruption beyond Dowd’s speech. It appears based on
this video, taken with the other incidents, that it was Dowd’s use
of a profanity (“there’s no guidelines for what that fucking
means”) that was the basis for dismissing him from the meeting and
for the weighty punishment of barring him from speaking for 30
days.12 But ‘[a] speaker may not be removed from a meeting solely
because of the use of profanity unless the use of profanity
actually disturbs or impedes the meeting.” Acosta, 718 F.3d at 810
n.5. The court finds that no actual disturbance took place here.
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