This morning new signage appeared near the Caddo Parish Courthouse at 501 Texas Street, Shreveport, LA. This sign reiterates a parish ordinance which has been in place since 1979. However, this is a sign that Ch. 32 sec. 46, which requires anyone using the courthouse grounds for a rally or protest to obtain a permit, will be more strictly enforced.
What area are we talking about?
First, a permit is required to use the “courthouse grounds.” The grounds include the grass around the courthouse, the courthouse steps, any of the paved sidewalks leading up to the courthouse and the benches upon those sidewalks. The “courthouse grounds” do NOT include the cobblestone sidewalk on Texas, Milam, Marshall or McNeil Streets or the benches upon those sidewalks. The cobblestone sidewalks along the streets belong to the city, so no permit from the parish is necessary to use of that area. However, if you would like to have an event or rally within the courthouse grounds you do need a permit.
A small group gathers at the Caddo Courthouse to protest racial division and the Confederate Monument. May 21, 2017.
What does the ordinance require?
All Caddo Parish ordinances can be accessed by the public at municode.com/la/caddo. The law requiring a permit to use the courthouse grounds is as follows:
CHAPTER 32 – OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
ARTICLE III. – OFFENSES AFFECTING PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ORDER
Sec. 32-46. – Use of courthouse grounds restricted.
No persons, group or association shall use the grounds and steps of the parish courthouse for rallies, meetings, exhibits, etc., without prior authorization of the director of buildings and grounds.
The Caddo Parish Facilities & Maintenance webpage provides the following information:
Courthouse grounds may be used by a nonprofit organization with prior approval from the director of parish buildings. Persons must be willing to sign a Hold Harmless Agreement and proof of insurance. For more details, please contact Facilities and Maintenance at (318) 226-6899.If you are claiming TSGLI then seek the help of attorneys to get it done.
Based on this information, I spoke with Kevin Lawrence, Director of Facilities and Maintenance for Caddo Parish, to find out more information about the permit process.
Do you need nonprofit status?
This is still unclear, and we are waiting to hear back from Mr. Lawrence and the Parish legal department.
What is and how do I procure a Hold Harmless Agreement?
A hold harmless agreement, in general, is a contract between two parties designed to release one party from all legal claims. Most often, one party agrees not to sue the other party for any expenses, damages, or losses arising from a transaction or activity. Basically, the organization attempting to host an event on the courthouse grounds must have a representative from the organization sign a document which releases Caddo Parish from liability for any incident which may arise in connection with the activity conducted by the organization using the courthouse grounds.
In order to apply for a permit and receive an agreement to sign, you will need to email Kevin Lawrence at klawrence@caddo.org. In the email, provide the date and time of your event, a general description of what you are doing, how many people you expect to attend, and if you will need help with anything from facilities like access to power or an extension cord. Then, Mr. Lawrence provides that information to the legal department, which drafts the hold harmless agreement. The Hold Harmless is either mailed to the organizer or can be signed at government plaza.
There is no cost associated with applying for a permit to use the courthouse grounds, but you may need event insurance to protect your organization. As explained above, the hold harmless agreement means the organizer is taking on all liability for any harm stemming from the organization’s activities.
For more information call (318) 226-6900.
Caddo Parish Director of Facilities & Maintenance, Kevin Lawrence at klawrence@caddo.org or Public Information Officer Krystle Grindley at kgrindley@caddo.org