Chico City Council & Ordinance 940

Cultural Event #5

Upon reading Chico City Ordinance No. 2365 by adding chapter 9.40 or Chico 940, the ordinance is as bad they say. The language in which the ordinance is written openly and blatantly violates each and every person’s god given rights as Americans. The language simply put, allows the City of Chico’s Police Department to break up and fine anyone at an event that they deem disorderly through “circumstantial evidence.” This ordinance does not limit itself to Chico parties but includes peaceful demonstrations, public marches and even peaceful public bar-b-ques.

If you take the time to read the United States Constitution, primarily the first amendment, it says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The Chico City ordinance openly violates the first amendment by giving the individual officers the power and ability to break up any gathering for minor infractions that do not even have to be cited. The loose wording of the ordinance gives the local police unlimited power at any gathering to force disbandment and even issue expensive tickets. Furthermore, it says that you don’t even have to be part of the event to be fined, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It sounds like too much power in one person’s hands and it will do nothing but cause problems and cause this city and country money to eventually overturn it.

After reading this ordinance I immediately registered to vote in Butte County and signed the petition being circulated around Chico against the disorderly events ordinance. So read it and if you find it wrong for the City of Chico, go out and sign the referendum.