The city of Dallas is being sued over their panhandling ordinance by someone who is running for Mayor of the city. Did we mention she’s a street-activist who “Will Rap 4 Weed“. While it might sound silly, her fight is a very righteous one.
Per Dallas Observer
The city of Dallas has finally been sued in federal court over its panhandling ordinance. And the plaintiff is a woman running for Texas governor. No, no. Not former Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Try instead Yvette Gbalazeh, the street-corner activist otherwise known as “Will Rap 4 Weed.”
And, no, that’s not the punch line. This is:
Gbalazeh and her attorney and City Hall higher-ups are on the same side here. More or less. As City Attorney Larry Casto put it Wednesday when I asked about the complaint that says begging ordinances violate First Amendment rights, “It’s not like we’re necessarily at odds.”
Because if we’ve learned anything in recent weeks, it’s that the people at City Hall tasked with enforcing the laws — Casto and Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall — don’t think the begging law’s any good. Well, at least the part of the law that outlaws begging. Threatening someone for their cash money is still illegal; so is assaulting a passer-by who won’t unpocket loose change. But you don’t need a panhandling law to tell you hitting someone is a no-no.
“The ordinance is just a way to give people a hard time you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to give a hard time to,” Gbalazeh said Thursday.
The City Council has spent forever trying to push panhandlers off sidewalks and into the shadows. And the city swears it wants to do more than that. It proposes putting up signs begging people not to give to beggars. Or a jobs program for panhandlers. Or installing donation boxes in Deep Ellum that look like parking meters.
Gbalazeh’s lawsuit includes damages for being arrested and having her rights violated.
Watch a documentary made about Yvette called, “Will Rap 4 Weed” below