Sedgwick County, Kansas, is setting up three permanent First Amendment areas for protesters to gather at will– SMD
July 13, 2010
By Rebecca Gannon
The next time you head to an event at Wichita’s INTRUST Bank Arena, watch where you walk.
On Wednesday, Sedgwick County Officials will ask certain areas be protected — for protestors.
Since the Intrust Bank Arena opened in January, more than 288,600 people have gone to a show there.
But some people skip the shows to stand on the sidewalks outside the arena.
Like Shannon Ray did in May, when former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin spoke in the venue. “We’re protesting Sarah Palin because she’s a very divisive person,” said Ray. “If you disagree with her, she demonizes you and is trying to destroy America.”
To accommodate protestors like Ray, the County wants to designate ‘First Amendment Activity Areas’.
“So those folks who want to protest know where they can be on the arena site,” said Assistant County Manager Ron Holt, “and those who are coming to arena events are not impeded by doing that.”
People will still be allowed to stand outside on the sidewalks — because they are public property. The county says protest groups asked for alternative areas. The county proposes three sites be designated for them.
Two of those spots are grassy areas on the South side of the Arena. One is just south of the handicap-accessible parking at the Arena, and just north of the public sidewalk on Waterman.
The other grassy area is to the southeast of the Arena, bordered by the bricked walkway to the West, and the staff parking lot and Commerce street to the East (which becomes a driveway on the Arena property).
The third proposed First Amendment Activity Area is paved, and near the Northwest corner of the Arena property. It is an area that could hold 20-30 people, and it is near the Ray Sales building.
Holt pointed out there are all additional places for protestors to congregate. “This is no way impedes those people who want to use the public sidewalks, those will still be available.”
So whether it’s for a performance, or a protest, the county hopes the arena has a place for you.
First Amendment Activity area is not new to Sedgwick County. It has a designated spot at the Sedgwick County Zoo for protestors, and it also had one at the Britt Brown pavillion on the Kansas Coliseum Complex.