Town of Summerville
Notice of Intent for Picketing
As defined in Chapter 24 Article II of the Town Ordinance, no picketing shall be conducted on the streets of the Town of Summerville and no person shall participate in the same unless notice of intent to picket has been given to the Chief of Police or his designated representative, and unless a receipt of such notice has been issued.
A group of ten (10) or more persons shall give notice of intent to picket in writing and the notice given shall contain the following information. A group of fewer than ten (10) persons may give written notice of intent to picket but is not required to do so.
Picketing The terms picket, pickets and picketing as used herein are deemed to include “demonstrators,” persons participating in vigils and any action primarily promoting or objecting to a policy upon those portions of the public ways not used primarily for vehicular parking and moving traffic and not constituting a parade. Picketing of greater than ten (10), or more persons, is subject to Sections 24-44 and/or 24-71.
Exceptions:
This Chapter shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) Funeral processions;
(2) A governmental agency acting within the scope of its functions;
(3) Students going to and from school classes or participating in educational activities, providing such activity is authorized by the school district and is under the immediate direction and supervision of the school authorities authorized by the school district to approve and supervise such activity;
(4) Less than ten (10) persons engaged in picketing.
(Ord. No. 1989-0208, 4-12-1989)
Standards of Conduct During Picketing
- Picketing shall be conducted only on portions of the public ways not used primarily for vehicular parking or moving traffic.
- Pickets may carry written or printed placards or signs not exceeding thirty-six (36) inches provided the words used would not tend to incite violence.
- If pickets promoting different objectives, causes, actions or policies desire to use a sidewalk that is already used for picketing, the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designated agents shall allot a number of pickets promoting each objective, to use such sidewalk, on an equitable basis, proportionate to the number of objectives being promoted.
- Pickets shall be restricted to the use of the outermost half of the sidewalk or other public way nearest the street and shall not at any time nor in any way obstruct, interfere with, or block: persons entering or exiting from vehicles; persons crossing streets or otherwise using the public way; the entrance or exit to any building or access to property abutting the street or sidewalk; or pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No person observing, engaging in, or assisting in picketing shall bring to or allow to remain in the immediate area of picketing any vicious animal.
- It shall be unlawful for a group of ten (10) or more persons to picket without filing a notice as required herein.
- It is unlawful for any person to unreasonably obstruct, impede or interfere with any parade or public meeting or assembly or with any person, vehicle or animal participating in such parade, meeting or assembly for which a permit has been granted in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
- The town administrator shall have the authority, when reasonably necessary, to prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles along a highway or part thereof constituting part of the route of a parade. The town administrator shall post signs to such effect, and it shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave unattended any vehicle in violation thereof.
- It is unlawful for any person to engage in picketing before or about the residence or dwelling of any individual.
When picketing, no person shall:
(1) Use on the streets or public places any verbal abuse, including curses, insults or threats, or acts of violence, directed against any person or place.
(2) Engage in riotous and loud conduct which invades the privacy of homes or businesses.
(3) Damage or destroy or injure the person or property of others.
(4) Block, in any manner, the streets and means of ingress and egress to any place of business, residence or establishment.
(5) Interfere with, in any manner, or obstruct any official or person in the performance of his duties.
(6) Interfere, in any manner, with the attendance, during school hours, of children in the public or private schools by inciting or urging them to participate in demonstration or for any other unlawful purpose or reason.
(7) Picket other than in accordance with the following principles:
a. In a manner so as not to interfere with pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
b. In a manner so as not to block entrances or exits to or from picketed businesses, residences or establishments.
c. No more than four (4) pickets posted at any one time at any one business or establishment
d. No picket shall trespass upon the property of the business or establishment being picketed;
e. Pickets to patrol on the sidewalk at a distance of not less than eight (8) feet from every other picket;
f. No person, whether in sympathy with the pickets or not, shall assemble, loiter, congregate or engage in any kind of picketing of the business, residence or establishment being picketed except those picketing in their official capacity.
(Ord. No. 1989-0208, 4-12-1989)
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