Mary G. Gleysteen

I object to this regulation on the grounds that it limits Constitutional rights to speech and petition to the government. I believe this Seafair "Safety Zone" was enacted to keep members of the public who wish to protest our government's military spending from using the same space in Elliott Bay that the Navy, Coast Guard and Seafair officials appropriate for their use in glorifying the military by parading warships during Fleet Week Maritime Festival. In 1971 or 1972 I participated in a People's Blockade demonstration during Seafair against warships used in the Vietnam. We were allowed to get very close to the ships in Elliott Bay and could communicate effectively with the sailors on board as well as the people on shore. I have participated in the Peace Fleet since 1999 in opposition to the militarization of Seafair. Our sailboats, kayaks and runabouts have attempted to comply with directions form the Coast Guard and harbor police and have peacefully paraded during the arrival of the Navy ships and object to having this venue for demonstration against war foreclosed. Please hold a public hearing so that those of us who have a vested interest in the subject can make our views known and ask and answer questions about this proposed exclusion policy.