Will St. Pete privatize a popular protest spot near Baywalk?
Our guest is Dwight Lawton, a spokesperson for the St. Petersburg chapter of Veterans for Peace and a member of St. Pete For Peace. The group is concerned about tomorrow’s St. Pete City Council vote, which could result in the privatization of a sidewalk in downtown St. Pete. The group recently issued a press release which said in part: The proceedings will take place at St. Petersburg City Hall beginning at 8:30am, at 175 Fifth Street N (map). There will be a public hearing to discuss the issue prior to the vote. So, whatever you can do to be there, please come out. There will be a demonstration prior to the meeting on the steps of City Hall beginning at 8:00am. We have plenty of signs. As you know, the rationale for the sidewalk vacation encompasses much more than demonstrations at Baywalk. A primary reason Baywalk’s owners are coercing the city into vacating the sidewalk is because they apparently don’t want black kids hanging out in front of the main Baywalk entrance. Since it’s not
