Reference no: EM133794206
Homework: The Urban Context for Policy & Planning- Sidewalks & Dissent
This homework is part of Learning Objective 3: Describe the role of public policy, urban planning and real estate development in shaping city life, and Learning Objective 5: Evaluate the built environment from multiple perspectives.
The purpose of this homework is to examine the role of sidewalks and public spaces in political dissent. Sidewalks have a long history as places for political expression, but also have a long history as being regulated to silence political voices. We are witnessing another wave of conflict over the rights of political expression on streets and sidewalks. Do protesters have the right to block sidewalks or streets to express outrage over police brutality, racism, or human rights abuses? Are protests acts of disorder that will lead to violence?
Task
Read the following book chapter:
Loukaitou-Sideris, A., R. Ehrenfeucht, R. Gottlieb (2009) "Sidewalk as space of dissent". Chapter 6 in Loukaitou-Sideris, Ehrenfeucht and Gottlieb, Sidewalks: Conflict and Negotiation over Public Space. MIT Press, 97-121.
Write an essay that responds to the following questions:
A. What is the historical basis for using sidewalks for dissent?
B. How do cities control political dissent on streets and sidewalks? What is the basis of their authority to do so?
C. Why do cities try to control political dissent?
D. Why do protests happen?
E. On Wednesday 12/13/23, a group of protestors seeking a cease fire in Gaza shut down the I-110 freeway in downtown Los Angeles. On Wednesday, 12/27/23, a group of protestors supporting Palestine gathered near LAX, at one point shutting down Century Blvd. In both cases, dozens of protestors were arrested.
a. Choose ONE of these events and document in as much detail as possible from media and other reports. Describe the timeline of events, description of protestors, the actions of protestors, the response by law enforcement, responses by other members of the public, claims regarding protestor or other participant behavior, arrests made, etc.
b. Consider these protests in the context of the book chapter. Why were these protests broken up? Why did the protestors choose to stop traffic, as opposed to demonstrating on the sidewalk? What do these examples tell us about boundaries for free speech?