Cleveland Mayor Vetoes Flash Mob Crackdown

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland's mayor has vetoed a measure that would have made it a crime to use social media to organize a flash mob.

City council members who introduced the measure say teens have used Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to pull together flash mobs that are really only large gatherings of trouble makers, instead of the usual large crowds breaking into dance.

[Mayor Frank] Jackson told council members that the ordinance passed by them was a concern because it could interfere with the rights of the city's law-abiding citizens.

Dittos - Indians, Browns, University Circle, West Side Market - I've never felt threatened at any of these venues.

Of course, I'm not hanging around Prospect Ave. at 2 AM. Just make sure you practice situational awareness in any urban area. I'll be damned if I let the fear of some random punk keep me from doing what I want to do and going where I want to go.

Use common sense and stay safe everybody.

I’m amazed by the majority of the replies.

First, this is a “feel good” law that does nothing but clutter the books on what’s legal and what’s illegal. *If* the thugs who organize a violent flashmob decide they care about this sort of law (and why would they care about something so ticky-tack if they’re willing to assault people?), they’ll simply use dubious language to call for the mob.

Second, it’s a free speech issue. We already have laws on the books to make illegal incitement to riot. *If* the current statues are insufficient to cover electronic means, modify them, don’t create a specific law for social media. This is the sort of law that turns up later in the same category as the Michigan law that made it illegal to tether an allegator to a fire hydrant.

Third, it’s a freedom of assembly issue. As above, there are already laws on the books to make assault, rioting, etc. illegal. Enforce the laws already on the books.

Fourth, the city council is engaging in more government for the sake of more government. The proposed law won’t solve any problems, or make anything illegal that isn’t already. All it does is grow government, something conservatives are supposed to deplore.

Fifth, the root of violent flashmobs isn’t in the law. It’s morality (or, more precisely, the lack thereof). This problem won’t be solved by writing more laws. Yes, laws need to be enforced and the public protected, but the city council should be about the task of removing road blocks to those organizations that teach/encourage/value morality that teaches young people that such behavior is unacceptable.

Sixth, city council members who can’t figure out the above are a disgrace to their city. Despite being a Democrat, it appears the mayor actually may understand some of the above. His ability to at least appear to “get it” should be encouraged.

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