We look to remove from city ordinances the language added to the law that makes it a crime to post flyers, therby effectively removing one way to communicate with our peers about issues that are important to us.
We Kindly ask the City Council to remove the language in NORTHAMPTON CODE-GARBAGE, RUBBISH, AND RECYCLING, Section 12-3. Littering Prohibited; exception that makes it a criminal offense to post flyers in Downtown Northampton, or anywhere else in town on property public or private.
In addition, we ask for help and guidance from our elected officials to help formulate a policy that is agreeable to all. Even becoming a positive and important contribution to the community. A solution that at least will allow a viable alternative to the current one, where as the flyers are torn down shortly after being put up. Or worse, you are ticketed and or briefly detained by police.
Although the local news media and other outlets do a commendable job of trying to provide a subsitute means, it simply cannot provide the effectiveness, fairness, and, oppurtunity (artistic and economic) that spontaneous, homemade, peer to peer communication can through flyering.
