So there's no chance San Francisco will do this.

[madbaker]

Somewhat in nitnorth-style...

Atlanta passed an ordinance Monday banning begging within a 70-block, triangular district encompassing Atlanta's largets hotels, convention halls, and attractions.

Comments from the pro-ban side:

"Panhandling has a debilitating effect on the tourism industry, on residents downtown, and on businesses downtown. People are frightened."
"People have called my restaurant to say they won't return after being accosted."

From the anti-ban side:

"Tourism is racism, classism, and segregation."
"We are fighting corporate fascism. I am opposed to apartheid in Atlanta, and this is what we are talking about."

There are good and reasonable arguments to make opposing the ban. You don't help your cause by appearing as a raving loon.
(Any bets as to when the word "Nazi" is used?)

What I'm reading: Neal Asher, Gridlinked

Comments

Re: Racist motivations

[metageek.livejournal.com]

Although the motivation for the bill doesn't have to be racist in nature.

In theory, no. But the odds are pretty definitely in favor of racism.

We have a surfeit of panhandlers in San Francisco, of various colors.

San Francisco is not Atlanta. Georgia has a lot more blacks, and a lot more prejudice against them.

(Admittedly, I never lived in Atlanta, but I spent some 10 years in Augusta.)