A free speech case stemming from protests outside the East Precinct on Capitol Hill has temporarily halted Seattle’s war on graffiti.
The injunction from a federal court judge hearing the case of four people busted for writing messages outside the 12th and Pine police facility using charcoal and chalk says the city’s ordinance against property destruction includes elements that result in the “criminalization of free speech.”
The chalked messages included “peaceful protest,” “Fuck SPD,” and “BLM,” Publicola reports.
The injunction temporarily bars Seattle Police from making arrests under the ordinance.
The legal limbo around tagging and graffiti joins another debate underway in Seattle around public drug use in painting the city a lawless, liberal hell hole. But city officials are working on a plan to step up enforcement, treatment, and diversion programs with changes in the state’s drug laws taking effect July 1st.
As far as graffiti goes, the Seattle City Attorney’s office says it plans to ask the court to reconsider, KIRO reports. If that isn’t unsuccessful, a new ordinance that more clearly protects free speech will need to be pounded out.
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