Editor: Here is the full text of the Ocean Beach Town Council resolution calling for an end to the 4th of July marshmallow war:
OCEAN BEACH TOWN COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
END the 4th of JULY MARSHMALLOW FIGHT
Whereas, the Ocean Beach Town Council is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the betterment and welfare of our community.
Whereas, the Town Council Board of Directors recognizes the annual 4th of July marshmallow fight is a tradition that started as a friendly rivalry between two Ocean Beach families involving a small group of people and no significant property damage.
Whereas, the annual 4th of July marshmallow fight has devolved into a rolling, violent altercation in which some bystanders have been injured and had their property destroyed.
Whereas, the 2013 marshmallow fight desecrated the Ocean Beach Veterans Plaza, left thousands of pounds of marshmallows on the streets and beaches, damaged clean-up equipment, and made the intersection of Newport and Abbott virtually impassable.
Whereas, the 2013 fight resulted in negative attention and harsh criticism from tourists, local business owners and media outlets, and prompted hundreds of Ocean Beach residents to call for the permanent end of the marshmallow fight.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ocean Beach Town Council Board of Directors calls for the continuation of the annual 4th of July fireworks show but an end to the marshmallow fight.
It is further resolved that the Board will call upon San Diego Police to enforce the City’s littering and vandalism laws, and target any individual seen throwing potentially harmful objects in public areas on the 4th of July. The Board is willing to assist the City by executing a comprehensive public relations campaign in advance of the holiday advising people that the fight has been cancelled and warning that police will be citing lawbreakers.
Further, we request that Ocean Beach businesses stop selling marshmallows, marshmallow-firing devices, T-shirts and other paraphernalia that promote the fight.
We also call upon OB residents to respect the wishes of their neighbors and not participate in July 4 activities that do not contribute to the beautification and welfare of Ocean Beach.
[hat tip to Celeste McClure]
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The cops don’t have enough to worry about on the 4th, but now they are supposed to enforce a ban on marshmallow fight?
come on man
Very Wonderful. About time.
Non-violent protest of tossing marshmallows at each other this upcoming 4th. Let them bring the paddy wagons and waste the police time locking people up for a mashmallow fight while the ob rapists continue, the cars get stolen, and real crime continues. Clog up the courts with these useless enforcements, good job OB.
If there is violence, take care of the violent offenders. Isn’t that what the police are supposed to be doing?
Ouch your marshmallow hurts..
Actually the MMs DO hurt, especially when they are frozen, on fire, made wet and then made in to giant balls of goo. Oh, then they get rolled around in the sand and get picked up and thrown again. I’d call that violent. The last 2 years I’ve had the bruises to show for it.
Here’s more local reaction from students: Student Organized Press http://thesop.org/
“The annual Fourth of July marshmallow fight will no longer be allowed in Ocean Beach, according to city officials.
marshmallow
The San Diego Police Department will be asked to enforce the city`s laws against littering and throwing harmful objects.”
Fox 5 San Diego
There`s only one thing better than a marshmallow fight, and that`s a pillow fight by bikini-clad hotties.
Are San Diego city officials also going to ban slumber parties, backyard barbeques and Tiddlywinks tournaments?
The only way that a marshmallow can be considered a harmful object is if it is crammed with bb pellets and propelled by a grenade launcher.
Enough with the tomfoolery let the marshmallow fights commence!