Weeks 2 & 3 - Two thumbs up, 1 finger, and the police

Once again, I felt I had more positive responses while driving down the road than negative...

Though I did have one diver on the freeway, after darting erratically into my lane from somewhere to the left, give me "the finger" with his right arm fully extended behind the passenger seat, flailing up and down. Then switching arms, he shot his left arm as far out the window as he could displaying the same finger with the same flapping flailing zeal. I believe he was communicating that he didn't like seeing legally killed children on large banners driving down the road. I agree with him actually. I don't like it either. I might be just as upset about the whole thing too. Anyhow, people can certainly be scary.

I had two more single fingered reactions. A simple thumb up from a woman as she past me by and another from a police officer. I was a bit concerned about the police officer... he passed me up on the freeway, but then slowed down in a manner clearly scoping me out. As traffic came to a stand still ahead he actually stopped in the middle of the road, waiting for me to pass. I thought, "oh great". Though I recognize the potential for confrontations with police, I don't desire them. Once I passed him... he then caught up and gave me a thumbs up and a smile as He passed. Well that was a relief and, once again, encouraging.

Well... I did have my first confrontation with police.

I found this great overpass for the cause. It is right above a section of the freeway that slows down really, really, really slow for about an hour each day. It has no sidewalk on the side I parked, so I can get right up next to the fence with my trailer (see pictures above). It has no "no parking" signs, no red curbs, plenty of room for cars to pass... it seemed PERFECT for the purpose of raising awareness that we are legally killing children in the united states.

So, the third day I parked there, two sheriffs came to visit. They explained that I was on "quasi state" property and that though the street was public it was also owned by the Lanterman Development Center. They explained that if I didn't have business with Lanterman then they could have me removed. Ignorant of the property lines of this seemingly public street, I high tailed it out of there and let them know I would look into it.

Well, I looked into it... and they were wrong. Oops! The Lanterman Development Center stops at the overpass. So, I contacted Lanterman Development Center and the person I spoke with informed me that I was correct about the property lines and that they had made a mistake. But, she went on to tell me that she would call the sheriff if I parked there again because I would be "impeding traffic". Impeding traffic? How's that?

Actually I decided I'd transcribe a direct quote for you from our conversation:
"Actually we contacted Walnut sheriff and Caltrans. The issue is, Your right that that is not our property until it gets to the end, but you can't park there because, um, for our codes, if you look at the city codes and our police codes, you're impeding traffic. (pause... I didn't say anything because I was so surprised she was saying this given how wide the street is)... when you were parked right there. So if you were to park right there, basically, what they'll do, there just gonna' call walnut sheriff and have you escorted off because it would be blocking traffic and would be an unsafe condition and it would be interfering with client services. So that's basically the enforcement they would have..."

I can't imagine this is a legitimate problem. The overpass is very wide with plenty of room for buses to pass.

I contacted the sheriff and the person who answered the phone didn't know what I was talking about but as general advice she said some things including this: "if it is not private property, and a public street like you say, then I don't see why you couldn't park there. However, if the sheriffs already told you not to park there then I wouldn't park there. It is your discretion sir, you've already been told twice. So use your own discretion in the situation, I don't know what else to tell you."

All that said, I haven't gone back since, but I likely will go back. This is a great location and their reasons for my potential removal are quite sketchy.

So... don't be surprised if I write my next blog from a Birmingham jail.

I don't believe I have been given a legitimate legal reason why I can't park on this public street yet, so this could get interesting. If I can get a cameraman, I think I'll head back this week. Going by myself and without video/audio recording devices seems risky given police don't always follow the rules.