Town, coalition agree on march

PALM BEACH — Farmworkers will get to march on the street when they return to Palm Beach next spring to protest for fair wages and labor practices.

The town and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers signed an agreement Friday stipulating rules for future marches on the island. The two sides had been debating traffic laws vs. protesters’ rights since the group’s March 12 demonstration.

“Neither side received ever y thing they wanted. So, all in all, it’s a fair deal,” said Town Manager Tom Bradford.

The coalition has said it plans to march on the island again next year.

Under the agreement, coalition protesters can march on the street, instead of the sidewalk, as long as they apply for a town parade permit. The $300 permit would specify the route, hours, nu mber o f p e o p l e , c o n - tact information and other details.

The group also can disobey traffic signals as long as it pays Palm Beach police to direct traffic, similar to how the town handles private events on the island. The town charges $70 per hour for special duty police officers.

During the march earlier this year, protesters drove a flatbed truck. Town officials were concerned its use in future marches might cause traffic jams. The coalition agreed to speed up or pull off to the side if police are concerned about traffic backup.

The coalition has requested nearly $220,000 in legal fees from the town. The town has said, if a judge decides to award fees, the amount should be between $19,000 to $23,000.