LA City Council considers ‘bubble zones’ for religious and health centers

It would bar protesters who hinder or block a person entering a religious institution, healthcare facility, and more.

In an effort to balance the right to protest and the right to access locations such as religious institutions, health clinics and community centers, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky introduced a motion on Tuesday, Aug. 6 to create so-called “bubble zones” around these sites.

Yaroslavsky introduced a motion seconded by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, to establish bubble zones in the city, which now heads to the council’s Public Safety Committee for further consideration..

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed its counsel to draft a similar ordinance that would be implemented across the unincorporated areas of the county.

Yaroslavsky cites “recent incidents” in Los Angeles and across the nation that have “demonstrated the need to explicitly provide a buffer zone around the employees and entrances to these types of facilities to ensure free and open access.”

Such a policy in the city would bar protesters from the zones and make it a misdemeanor for a person doing any of the following:

— Obstructing, detaining, hindering, impeding or blocking another person’s entry to or exit from a religious institution, healthcare facility, educational facility or community/public facility; and

— Approaching another person within eight feet of such person, unless such person consents, for the purpose of passing a leaflet or handbill to, displaying a sign to, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling with such other person in the public

In a statement, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said, “Even here in Los Angeles County, we have seen how intimidation is used to prevent community members from entering facilities to receive essential services — bubble zones are how we meaningfully protect personal safety.”

Similar to the county’s ordinance, Yaroslavsky’s motion also seeks to prohibit a person from approaching an individual within a radius of 100 feet from entrances with the purpose of passing a leaflet, displaying a sign or engaging in oral protest.

The state of Colorado and several cities — including Sacramento, Chicago and Pittsburg — also have bubble zones.

On July 31, the Los Angeles City Council withdrew a motion introduced by Yaroslavsky and Blumenfield — which sought $2 million in grants to provide private security for faith-based organizations — in light of expedited state funding.

The two council members intended the $2 million to fill in a “stopgap” and accelerate the state’s Nonprofit Security Grant program. Applicants can apply for the state’s program at CALOES.ca.gov with a deadline of Sept. 23.

The motion came in response to a violent clash between Palestinian and Israeli supporters outside a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson district June 23.

During that July meeting, Yaroslavsky said she would also be looking at clarifying Los Angeles Police Department protocols related to managing protests.