large gatherrings

Started by MichelleG7 • 15 replies • 514 views

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MichelleG7 (Connecticut)
Posts: 66

Posted:

Protest gathering on common areas. Any help on what should go into the rule that needs to be created. HAs any of your condos gone through this. and are there and cases in the courts. condo verses the protestors.. And they targeted a few people in the Association while doing this. I dont want to mention what kind of protest. That is not the subject. and may start a forum fight. LArge gatherings in the common area... picketing.. protesting.. TY

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Typically, members have a right to use of the common areas.

I believe any rule would be an issue.

During the pandemic, if it's larger then allowed by your State, contact the appropriate authorities.

If you feel for your safety, contact 911

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Mich

Are you saying you oppose such for Covid-19 safety reasons or you disagree with what they are protesting about? The latter I expect.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Need more info. Common areas inside or outside? Does your HOA have social distance rules?

What e does this mean, Michelle? "And they targeted a few people in the Association while doing this." The protesters targeted certain residents by name? Or demonstrated in common areas in from tof certain residents' homes?

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

I think you can probably restrict common areas in any way the board decides but I would avoid trying to limit protests. I would stick to limiting the number of people and possibly limiting all organized events. To be fair to the members, you should be prepared to justify the need for the rule.

Telling people they can't protest will almost guarantee a protest.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Be careful with that language about organized events.

It could inadvertently include family gatherings, birthday parties, yard sales, social gatherings, membership meetings, etc.

MichelleG7 (Connecticut)
Posts: 66

Posted:

Yes while doing a protest with a couple the owners. they were out there targeting one unit owner specifically. then started saying things about management and a board member in front of the board member home. I wont mention what the protest was about. In order for the police to get involved it would make it stronger for us if we had a rule about picketing, protesting. To move them to the public area. road. They set up there speakers blasting music.. and started calling all the owners chickens for not supporting what they were forcing us to support. This can not happen again. I have no idea what to do with starting a rule. Yes I will be going to our lawyer with this rule. IF ya have a rule started lawyers are cheaper. YEs they were saying names and threatening.

MichelleG7 (Connecticut)
Posts: 66

Posted:

Never said what the protest was about. And no it was not COVID related. That I will say. But I will not say what the protest was about.

MichelleG7 (Connecticut)
Posts: 66

Posted:

Yes I was thinking on doing this. limiting the number of people out on the common area. and it will say no picketing marching on gathering.. without prior consent from the board. Im looking for items to put in this rule. Im asking on this forum to see if anyone went through this.. I vanished and was up at the gas station calling in to the owners to see what was going on. Calling cops might of escalated it. The rule will be a way of informing renters and unit owners we really dont want it on our property. I dont care if they go out on the street. Then its the law enforcements problem. Its a new beast in the world. that is happening.

MichelleG7 (Connecticut)
Posts: 66

Posted:

YEs thinking on adding in over 10 people BOD must be contacted to approve. Not restricting inside. Dont care it they want to do all that in their unit. go for it.

MichelleG7 (Connecticut)
Posts: 66

Posted:

I hear what you are saying. Cops would have escalated the situation.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

For now, don't you have a noise nuisance rule or it's in your CC&Rs? If so, send a notice to the protesters who are owners or have tents who made noise, and warn them that a reccurnace will result in a call to hearing and a fine. Your governing docs must be followed of course re: hearings, fines, etc.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

I still say you are asking for trouble if you try to ban protesting and picketing. I have no idea if you can legally do it in your state but courts generally consider what is reasonable.

As an example, if it's ok for 25 people to stand in a common area holding signs that say "welcome home John" then how is it reasonable to ban the same people if the sign says, "the HOA board needs to go."

If you don't want 25 people standing in the common area chanting and carrying signs, then make a blanket rule against that. Don't try to control the message.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

By all means try and stifle free speech. The names being called out are none of the BOD's business. Let them being called out deal with it.

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MichelleG7 on 02/22/2021 6:14 PM
Yes while doing a protest with a couple the owners. they were out there targeting one unit owner specifically. then started saying things about management and a board member in front of the board member home. I wont mention what the protest was about. In order for the police to get involved it would make it stronger for us if we had a rule about picketing, protesting. To move them to the public area. road. They set up there speakers blasting music.. and started calling all the owners chickens for not supporting what they were forcing us to support. This can not happen again. I have no idea what to do with starting a rule. Yes I will be going to our lawyer with this rule. IF ya have a rule started lawyers are cheaper. YEs they were saying names and threatening.

This doesn't sound like a protest. It sounds like harassing one person in particular.

There was a protest in our neighborhood - someone upset with their homebuilder protested in front of the model home. It was in a public right of way and they were peaceful, so we just ignored it and they left after a few hours. Have they come back a second time?

Honestly, I might have called the police about if I were the one they were yelling at and calling names. I do generally think calling the police escalates a situation unnecessarily, but if someone was in front of my house screaming at me and calling me names I might fear for my safety.

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