Service Employee International Union v. City of Los Angeles

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER RE: MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

I.

INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

The 2000 Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place at the Staples Center, 1111 South Figueroa Street, from August 14 through August 17. For a period of time prior to and after the convention, the Los Angeles Police Department, in conjunction with convention planners, the United States Secret Service and other agencies, has designated a “secured zone” around the Staples Center, defined by Olympic Boulevard on the north, Venice Boulevard on the south, the Harbor Freeway on the west and Flower Street on the east — an area of more than 8 million square feet encompassing numerous streets, sidewalks and buildings.

North of Olympic Boulevard, some 260 yards from the entrance to the Staples Center, a small “protest” or “demonstration” site has been designated for use during the convention. Defendant City of Los Angeles defends the expansiveness of the “secured zone” and the location of the protest site on the basis of security concerns.

Plaintiffs consist of a number of groups who wish to engage in a variety of expressive activities during the convention including marches, speeches,…