Honolulu Police / Operation Sidewalk Sweepers / APEC 2011 Waikiki

August 09, 2011: Sgt. David Barnett of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) gave this PowerPoint presentation to the Waikiki Neighborhood Board explaining the newly created "Operation Sidewalk Sweepers" to clear local sidewalks of street vendors. However Save Waikiki Sidewalk campaign members believe it is an attempt to arrest and harass artists and free-speech expressionists who have traditionally engaged visitors on the world famous beach way of Kalakaua Avenue. Artist/voices benefit the community and visitor industry.
We are concerned that the sweep is wrapped in hastily made and bogus policies made by private corporate interest and adopted by the city behind closed doors. The developers are collected under Waikiki Improvement Association, directed by Rick Egged. Private developers have consistently been trying to shut down free speech activities on the Waikiki sidewalks by using the police to arrest and jail artists/voices for unsubstantiated charges.
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The artists and free-voices have NOT been approached by the city or police in conceiving the terms of this operation despite being the most obvious stakeholders. Such recognition and participation would create understanding, responsible rules and cooperation and avoid demonization, jail and processing and confrontation on the public sidewalk where our visitors congregate.
This highlights the real purpose of harassment on the part of "corporate police".

The terms outlined in the video on which the OSS is being mandated are highly suspect, born of the side of ignorance and prejudice - certainly not in compliance with U.S. First Amendment protecting the "Public Forum" and U.N. Human Rights protecting free speech.
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The definition presented by Stg. Barnett of "peddling" and policy regarding "reproduced" music cast a wide net with which to "sweep", thus picking on many artists and creating the means to confuse and disrupt the most legitimate of free speech practitioners.
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Stg. Barnett does not mention that the crack down coincides with APEC 2011 summit in Waikiki, Honolulu in November when world leaders will visit. The city is talking of sweeping the homeless people off the street for APEC. Further, OSS comes on the heels of a $26 million sidewalk renovation and landscaping project initiated by the Waikiki Improvement Association which has replaced much of the curb space used by artists /voices with plants and trees.

More Info: www.SaveWaikikiSidewalk.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Waikiki
• free
• speech
• APEC
• police
• sidewalk
• operation
• sweep
• Save
• Sidewalk
• Corporate
• Neighborhood
• Board
• Improvement
• Association

[epicbirdman]

SIDEWALK SWEEPERS? Sounds like the Police are out to clean up 'GARBAGE' these are HUMAN BEINGS!!!Maybe these 'PEOPLE 'look like garbage too BIG BUSINESS here in Waikiki but there human BEING'S trying to earn an honest living.

And categorizing the fine Men and Women of the Honolulu Police department as "garbage collectors" not only dehumanizes the street performers but all of us.

[art5727]

I think they are good for businesses on kalakua because the crowds stop to watch and end up going or looking in the shops its good for everyone!

[art5727]

I think the street performers r a great part of WAIKIKI and should be able to earn money , maybe some can not work. It is better that their performing instead of committing crime!