Dick Spotswood: Human-barricade protests a perversion of free speech

Last week, apparent political progressives chained themselves together to block traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. They were demonstrating to convince the Biden administration to cease supplying military aid to Israel in response to Hamas terrorists’ deadly Oct. 7 invasion.

The hourslong disruption of the Golden Gate span and similar actions on Interstate 880 in the East Bay caused havoc for tens of thousands of Bay Area residents. It’s doubtful if their stunt created additional supporters for the Palestinian and Hamas cause.

Protestors knew the post-protest result would be a quick arrest and a prompt release on their own recognizance, followed by a slap-on-the-wrist penalty. Many on the political left regard civil disobedience-related arrest as a badge of honor confirming their righteousness.

This isn’t an appropriate exercise of free speech. Reasonable people can disagree about the course of Israel’s retaliation in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion. There are appropriate methods to protest. Erecting human barricades disrupting the lives of others is a perversion of free speech. Standing on the bridge’s roadside carrying banners and chanting is proper.

In describing what constitutes an illegal and improper protest, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California says, “You may not block access to sidewalks or buildings or march in the street without a permit.”

The way to discourage blockading of bridges and highways as a form of protest is to make certain that those who participate pay a substantial price. A week in the county jail is appropriate. Higher fines are a poor alternative as they penalize those who can’t afford to pay fines and, in any event, often go uncollected.

Seven days in jail is appropriate regardless of ideology. The same penalty should apply if bridge traffic was blocked by, say, protesters demanding that Hamas free the still-alive Israeli men, women and children hostages kidnapped during their deadly invasion. A mandatory minimum sentence of a week in the clink should discourage them along with those protesting whatever is the cause of the day.

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I recently went out to Rodeo Beach at Fort Cronkhite in the Golden Gate Headlands. My goal was to view and participate in a demonstration of a new mobility device that’s a game changer for the physically challenged.

The four-wheeler powered by an electric motor and made by TerrainHopper is said to be “the ultimate in off-road mobility.” Marin is blessed with an abundance of splendid beaches, trails and natural beauty spots. The physically able among us take this for granted, unlike those who can’t physically navigate beaches, steps and trails.

Creating opportunities for everyone to experience these natural wonders will improve the quality of life and sense of independence for those who are unable to walk without assistance.

I was joined by city, county and state park and recreation managers, Mill Valley City Manager Todd Cusimano, Southern Marin Fire District paramedics and advocates for those with special needs.

TerrainHopper makes one of a half dozen state of the art off-road vehicles for those with physical limitations. The 450-pound lithium battery-powered cart costs $19,000. I think it’s worth the cost. With four-wheel drive, it cruises through beach sand, amazingly climbs flights of stairs and traverses unpaved trails. For safety, operators are accompanied by on-foot companions. It is designed to be a light touch on the landscape.

The idea isn’t that each park, open space and beach would own and operate their own disabled-friendly off-road cart.

It’s far more efficient for a Bay Area nonprofit such as the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program to own the vehicles, develop the expertise to service them, and coordinate scheduling of volunteers delivering the carts on-demand to wherever requested. Ideally, the Marin Community Foundation will fund a grant to purchase a half dozen Terrain Hoppers for a three-year pilot project.

Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.