Table and display – (Photos by Judith Starker)
Much to their surprise, walkers on the Ocean Beach Pier on Saturday, Nov. 22nd, were confronted much to their disgust with ceramic models of aborted fetuses. The grotesque models were on a table along with pamphlets and books being handed out to anyone interested by an anti-abortionist group.
The table had a canopy and had been set up close to the stairs leading to the beach. It was staffed by about 5 people – one of whom held a toddler – and had been set up by a group named the Saint Paul Street Evangelization -with an address of 525 B Street Suite 2200, in downtown San Diego.
The group claimed to have First Amendment rights to be on the pier, but to our knowledge, it is against the San Diego Municipal Code to set up a table and display on the pier. We have a call into Councilman Ed Harris’ office to verify that.
Anyone with information or insight on this ought to leave us a message, call Mr Harris’ office and the Park and Rec Department about this display.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I reported a religious group on the pier this year to the police…not sure if it’s the same group. They were giving away religious relics. Police told me since they weren’t selling things, but giving them away, it was ok for them to be there. UGH.
If they have a right to be there, then we have a right to protest whatever crap they might be passing along.
Out of curiosity, why would you report a religious group to police for giving away religious relics?
I wasn’t sure if they were allowed to be on the pier at all, so I wanted to know the legalities of them being there.
Violating the law for starters
You all call the popo on the dude(s) selling little paintings too?
Actually, I’ve bought a couple of original artworks from artists on the wall.
Did they have a table and display? We’ve also bought jewelry from someone of the pier, but they had a very minimal display.
On the wall means on the wall. No table, but definitely displayed. I don’t think they are allowed to be selling either, just haven’t been caught.
Those crazies all own stock in coat hanger companies, they want to return to those good old days.