Below is a letter from Mayor Schell in response to my letter of concern about our freedom of exppression. My letter (to which the mayor was responding) follows. I suggest that anyone who may be downtown this week might want to carry a copy of this letter from the mayor, and also "just in case" write on their arm the number 206-405-4651, a legal support phone number which will be staffed as much as possible that folks can call from jail. Jean

Dear Ms. Buskin:

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me regarding the anniversary of WTO and the scheduled protests for November 30.

My office is working very hard to make sure that all activities that occur on November 30 are peaceful and positive ones. Of course, the City can't stop people from protesting at Westlake Center; that is their right. [emphasis added] However, it is also the right of non-protesting citizens to be able to work, shop, and walk freely throughout downtown. This is why we have been encouraging protests and demonstrations to occur in Victor Steinbrueck Park. By concentrating the demonstrations there, we're hoping to minimize any possible conflicts.

As I've said before, my top priority - and the top priority for the Police Department - is to maintain public safety. Lawlessness such as vandalism or any kind of violence will not be tolerated, and violators will be arrested. In order to allow peaceful demonstrations and marches, we're calling on groups that wish to demonstrate to obtain parade permits and to obey all laws.

I hope that we can find a way to come together over this anniversary rather than turning this event into a divisive one. Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

Very truly yours,

Paul Schell

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Dear Mayor Schell

Why are you threatening people who may want to use a public park to demonstrate against the WTO? As you point out, there will be far fewer people than last year.

Our 1st Amendment-protected protest activities are completely compatible with people enjoying Westlake Park. Last year, there was music, interesting signs, costumes, giant puppets, street theater ... it was quite a festive atmosphere.

What is not compatible with people enjoying a park is pepper spray and tear gas. If you will instruct the Police Department to refrain from violence and chemical irritants, we should all be able to use and enjoy a public park, while some of us are making statements that we want to protect human rights around the globe and protect the environment.

Sincerely yours,