New rules of protest
Protesters who block streets or sidewalks could face arrest in Saratoga Springs./
Protesters in the city will no longer be able to block the streets and sidewalks without the threat of arrest.
At a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton and Assistant Chief of Saratoga Springs police John Catone announced the new policy after receiving hundreds of complaints about Black Lives Matter protesters haranguing diners on Phila Street on Sept. 25.
“One person’s constitutional right does not supersede another’s,” said Dalton, who began the meeting with video of the protest that included scenes of marchers blocking the intersection of Broadway and
Lake Avenue, with another video showing protesters calling out diners about their privilege. “The safety of all involved is the number one priority of the department of public safety.”
Catone said that protesters have the right to march in the streets without a permit, but “the videos clearly show that vehicle and pedestrian traffic have been obstructed to a point where the safety of the protesters, pedestrians and motoring public has been compromised.”
And moving forward, he said, “they will be subject to arrest.”
The meeting got heated with the appearance of the city ’s BLM leaders, Lexis Figuereo and Chandler Hickenbottom.
Figuereo asked where Mayor Meg Kelly has been throughout the spring and summer while his group, All of Us, has marched. He also wanted to know where she was when protesters were hit with pepper spray pellets last July. Kelly has not talked publicly on the issue.
“All I hear about is restaurants,” Figuereo said. “Now you guys want to talk. Now you want a special council meeting. Why is it taking this long ? We have been doing this since May… You are more concerned with property and money than people.”
Dalton refuted that, saying she made four attempts to reach out to Figuereo, including giving Figuereo her personal cellphone number. She said the only thing she got back was a “profanitylaced voicemail.”
Catone said the police are also frustrated by All of Us not wanting to meet.
“They refuse to meet with us, but the police department will
continue to make itself available to meet with groups like All of Us,” Catone said.
As public comment continued, Kelly demanded Figuereo leave, and he complied. Kelly also tried to boot out Hickenbottom, but she refused to leave. Two city police officers then stood around Hickenbottom.
“I want her out,” Kelly said. But then the mayor relented, saying, “If you could be quiet, we can finish the meeting.”
The council agreed that the only way forward is a dialogue between city leaders and the protesters.
“Coming here time and time again calling Commissioner Dalton a racist, a white supremacist, I’m not sure I understand how it is moving the conversation forward,” Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan said. “I want to meet with you and move the conversation forward. ... Come and meet with us.”