Bloomington’s Board of Park Commissioners is set to vote on the Community Farmers’ Market rules of behavior at its meeting Tuesday.
The market rules have been the subject of debate for months, after local activists complained the proposed rules of behavior were legally dubious because they made it more difficult to protest.
Activists began protesting at the market after vendor Sarah Dye’s ties to a white supremacist group surfaced this past summer. Protestors surrounded Dye’s booth and disrupted market activities, leading city officials to propose updates to the rules of behavior.
The proposed rules prohibit the “interruption of commerce” and protesting outside of designated free speech areas: Information Alley and “Plaza oneA,” which is “(defined by the arc of light colored pavers) on the B-Line trail.”
“Picketing, demonstrating, yelling, excessive or unreasonable noise-making, obstructing or hindering the flow of pedestrians or access to a vendor, and other conduct disrupting Market activities” is prohibited, and those found doing so will be asked to move to one of the free speech areas. If the person refuses, the Bloomington Police Department will be contacted and the individual may be subject to arrest.
In her staff report on the proposed rules, Market Coordinator Marcia Veldman says the rules “have been reviewed and approved by the Legal Department and Parks and Recreation staff, including review by the Farmers’ Market Advisory Council.”
The Board of Park Commissioners will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
