Two Harbors Attempts to Restrict Parking for Protests

For some time Breakwall Indivisible has been holding weekly protests along Hwy 61 in front of the Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors.  It's a location that activists have used for anti-war and other protests for decades.  In fact, when Breakwall Indivisible first started holding protests after the 2nd election of Trump, it was suggested by the Two Harbors police that this would be a good location for them since there is a fairly large amount of space between the cemetery and the road, with a sidewalk, a metal fence to protect the property of the cemetery AND ample parking.  Indivisible has held numerous protests there since, and there has never been any problems regarding damage or disruption to the cemetery.  And these protests often attract well over 100 people.  

 

However, now the City of Two Harbors has suddenly tried to make an issue of using the cemetery for parking.  They are citing a 1944 law that prohibits using the cemetery as a "thoroughfare".  However this law says nothing about parking.  This flimsy argument is likely motivated by politics.  We urge our readers to oppose this move by the city of Two Harbors, and defend Breakwall Indivisible's right to protest.  If you're able to attend, there is going to be a City Council meeting this Wednesday.  It'll start at 5pm and will be held in the Two Harbors City Hall.

 

Below is a statement by the leadership team of Breakwall Indivisible that urge folks to read and share:   

 

This group exists for a reason. We are standing up for our rights and for the rights of others. We protest and rally so that our voices can be heard and so that others are empowered to share their voices. We are the resistance in a country led by a regime that is rapidly whittling away the rights of its citizens, robbing the public coffers, and gathering more power unto itself. We have a right and a duty to resist! This group exists for that purpose.

 

We have alerted you all about the situation we have with the city and our parking at the cemetery. But it may not have been clear why this fight is happening or why something as trivial as parking is an important fight to take part in.

 

Let’s begin with why this fight happened. About a year ago, we surveyed the city and selected the walk in front of the cemetery as a rally location for the following reasons:

 

1. It is a visible location on 7th Avenue where we can be seen.

2. It has more safety features than any other public parcel of land on 7th Ave. Such as:

    a. A curb to reduce accidents.

    b. A sidewalk that parallels the road to provide accessibility.

    c. Good visibility in all directions for threat assessment.

    d. A fence to the rear for protection.

    e. Adequate space for a large group

3. Its use did not disrupt anyone’s business or livelihood.

 

Shortly after we began using that space, we were asked by the city police to park in the cemetery to reduce traffic disruption and provide more safety for our members. We complied, and it has worked out well in that regard.

 

After a year of rallies, our group was approached by the city administrator about an old 1944 ordinance that specifies that the cemetery is not a ‘thoroughfare’. The city has stated via the city administrator and the city attorney that this extends to parking. A claim that has no basis in law or the English language. If that definition were true, then all cemetery parking is effectively banned unless the law carves out an exception. The only other provision in the law that permits parking for any reason specifies making deliveries to the cemetery. It does not explicitly permit parking to visit graves, attend funerals, or for any other reason. This is obviously not what would have been intended. This also means the city’s interpretation is nonsense.

 

We believe that this law has surfaced and been misinterpreted for the sole purpose of making it more difficult for us to peacefully assemble and express our rights as defined by the First Amendment of the Constitution. THAT is a fight worth having!

 

When the Trump regime peels back our rights, we fight and make our voices heard. Why should we see this issue any differently? The city has not been clear about why this fight was picked. But we did not pick it. They picked it. It is not, as some have stated, that parking in the cemetery is “our hill to die on”. But it is not simply parking that is the issue. If the city had simply requested a change rather than demanding or misinterpreting the law to use it as a weapon, we likely would have found a compromise. But we should not ever stand idle while laws are weaponized against us. We should not allow anyone to take away our rights or our voices.

 

This is not a parking issue. This is a civil rights issue! We absolutely should not back down. We have offered the city council a fantastic compromise. We asked for a permit. This allows them to ignore the fact that the law is being misused by providing a way not to have to enforce the absurdly interpreted law. This is rather generous on our part. We still contend that the city is wrong about its interpretation of the law and have only offered this permit solution out of respect for the city council. We should encourage them to accept this compromise.

 

If you wish to show support, please attend the city council meeting this coming Wednesday at 5:00 pm. Show them that our rights matter.

 

In solidarity,

Breakwall Indivisible Leadership