Winter Park officials pass ordinance to restrict protests near library, events center and park

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Winter Park City Commission voted on Wednesday evening to pass an ordinance that restricts when and where protests can take place near the Winter Park Library and Events Center.

The vote passed 3-2 and the the ordinance will go into effect immediately.

The measure is one city official calls proactive, following recent disruptions during events at the venues. The proposed ordinance would restrict protests around the Winter Park Library, Events Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Park. It would create a buffer zone prohibiting protesters from entering the area.

If protestors do not stay out of the outlined perimeter, they will be verbally warned. If they do not leave after that, they could face up to a $200 fine, per the ordinance.

News 6 spoke with Paul, a man out and about in Winter Park this week about the potential restrictions.

“Hopefully it’s clear where the designations are especially if they’re near public areas,” he said. “I believe in people’s right to protest peacefully and I believe on public properties that make sense with a particular protest they’re having that it makes sense to a point as long as they don’t obstruct what the public service is trying to do.”

Governments can impose limited restrictions on the time, place, and manner of speech in public forums but cannot restrict speech based on content or viewpoint.

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The ordinance defines protests as a “means of presenting a cause or grievance and involving two or more persons” and calls the restrictions “content-neutral” and “in the interests of the public health, safety and welfare.”

It also prohibits people from intentionally disrupting a private event, city event or library use while in the building or on the property.

“It’s possible case by case, but I can see where it has no teeth unless you have some kind of a law,” Paul said.

The ordinance passed its first reading 3-2 earlier this month. Commissioner Marty Sullivan was one of the opposing votes. News 6 reached out to Sullivan to discuss Wednesday’s vote.

“In my opinion, this ordinance goes beyond what is needed to keep our library, events center, and surrounding grounds enjoyable and accessible for patrons,” Sullivan said in a statement.

“Ordinance issues particularly troubling are “Unlawful” gatherings are broadly defined as “two or more persons” not authorized by library or city personnel presenting a “cause or grievance.” Banned is “any intentional act that causes a disruption,” with no definition of disruption."

Sullivan went on to say that he believes good examples for such permits exist for City of Orlando and Florida State University.