FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Contact:   Suzanne Thompson, Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council  (310) 664-1142

Peggy Lee Kennedy, Free Speech Zone Association  (310) 822-2771

Jerry Rubin, Alliance for Survival  (310) 399-1000

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

“Save Venice Beach Boardwalk” Unity Gathering and Press Conference to be held October 22

in Opposition to Proposed “Free Speech Zone” Boardwalk Ordinance.

**Actress Activist Michelle Phillips to Join Gathering**

Venice Beach, CA – “Keep the Free Spirit of Venice Beach Alive” will be the theme as Venice Beach Boardwalk street performers, artists, tarot readers, free-speech politicos, and others doing unique and creative Boardwalk endeavors will hold a “Save Venice Beach Boardwalk” unity gathering and press conference 12:00 noon on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 300 block of Ocean Front Walk just south of Rose Avenue in Venice Beach. The informal and unique Venice Beach-style conference and gathering will be held to oppose an upcoming proposed L.A. City ordinance that would put in place un-needed and “un-Venice” restrictive Boardwalk policies. Such policies, if passed by the L.A. City Council, would include unfair lotteries, permits, and restrictive areas that would not be in keeping with the “Free Speech Zone.”

At the conference artists, performers, local celebrities, political activists, community group leaders, and actress activist and Mamas and Papas founding member, Michelle Phillips will be calling on L.A. City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who was appointed to represent Venice through Council re-districting and who will be soon leaving her office, to put aside this restrictive plan and instead start a more methodical, more inclusive mediative process. The new City Council District election takes place on March 1, 2005 and the new Council representative takes office on July 1, 2005 just three days before the special July 4, 2005 100^th birthday of Venice of America. A fairer process of mediation implemented now would improve networking and communication with merchants on the east side of the Boardwalk, enhance public safety, sharpen Boardwalk performer/artist self-monitoring skills, and at the same time maintain the unique free and creative spirit of the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Conference, participants will be signing and inscribing messages on a 100-foot long “Save Venice Beach Boardwalk Art Petition” that will be presented to the L.A. City Council on October 27, 2004 when the proposed Boardwalk ordinance comes up for a vote.

The press conference and unity gathering are being sponsored by the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council, Venice Free Speech Zone Association, and Alliance for Survival.

###