Restrictions announced for protests in Spa City
HOT SPRINGS — Hot Springs National Park has announced it will enact temporary restrictions prohibiting certain items in parts of the downtown area today as two separate organizations hold protests.
Two groups received permits to peacefully demonstrate on Arlington Lawn, according to Chief Ranger Justin Culley.
Families Belong Together states on its Facebook page that it is organizing “a peaceful rally protesting the President Donald Trump administration’s inhumane immigration policies and all forms of hate and bigotry.”
The Confederate Square Group states on its Facebook page that it will “discuss the undocumented minors” and “will also be touching on the rise of socialism and communism.”
According to Culley, the park service is “required by law” to establish First Amendment areas, and the ones that will be utilized today are Arlington Lawn and Bathhouse Row.
Because the two groups have opposing views, Culley said, the park service will enact restrictions, though he “doesn’t anticipate any issues whatsoever.” The park’s law enforcement staff will be at the events to ensure the safety of participants.
The Park Service’s temporary public use restriction applies within all of Arlington Lawn and the entire distance of the sidewalk fronting Central Avenue between Fountain Street and Reserve Street, also known as Bathhouse Row.
The temporary closure will go into effect at 10 a.m. and will remain until the conclusion of the First Amendment activities at 6 p.m.
The park service listed more than two dozen items prohibited within Arlington Lawn and Bathhouse Row “due to the large number of people that are anticipated to come to the Arlington Lawn and Bathhouse Row areas in response to planned events.”
“This list of prohibitions is also necessary due to past events that resulted in confrontations and arrests and is necessary to maintain public health and safety as well as to provide an area where the public can safely exercise their First Amendment rights,” the news release said.
Prohibited items are aerosols or pressurized canisters of any type; animals other than working service animals; balloons; barbecue or charcoal grills; bicycles; skateboards; umbrellas; drones and other unmanned aircraft systems; explosives; gas masks; glass, thermal or metal containers; helmets; laser pointers; liquids other than water in factory-sealed, clear plastic bottles; mace or pepper spray; packages; pop up tents or canopies; selfie sticks; shields; structures; supports for signs and placards including sticks, poles or rods made of any material; sticks, bats, poles, rods, wands, staffs or other elongated objects of any nature composed of any material; toy or replica guns; wagons or carts that can be pulled; knives, scissors, box cutters, or any other sharp implement that can be used as a weapon; and any other item the park service determines to be a potential safety hazard.
Signs will only be allowed if made of foam core, cardboard or paper and must not exceed 24 inches by 36 inches.
Backpacks and bags exceeding 18 inches by 14 inches by 7 inches are also prohibited.