The Great DeSanitizer has been urging Florida motorists to run protestors down if they feel the least bit threatened by the blatant public exhibition of group First Amendment rights.
But the reality is that, on the mean streets of autoAmerica, peaceful demonstrators have far more to fear from impatient, distracted and speeding motorists than drivers have from street side sign wavers.
Which is why, I suspect, the big, grassy roundabout at the juncture of South Main Street and Depot Avenue has become GNV’s go-to location for ‘Hands Off!’, ‘No Kings!’ protests and similar demonstrations \of public discontent with the status quo.
And when you think about it, that makes all kinds of sense.
From a public safety standpoint, both South Main and Depot have been purposely designed to slow cars down. Roundabouts, single vehicle travel lanes, too close for comfort landscaping, sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and similar design features all conspire to reduce car speeds and induce drivers to behave in a civilized manner.
By comparison, University Avenue, 13th St and similar urban stroads are potential death traps for demonstrators.
From a more bang for your sign waving buck perspective, those same design features make drivers, at least momentarily, a captive audience. Traffic does not come to a grinding halt so much as slow to a snail’s pace.
And because Depot Park backs right up to the roundabout, demonstrators have lots more open space in which to mill about without feeling squeezed between traffic and sidewalk.
It’s a win-win for all. Cars keep moving continuously, albeit slowly, while demonstrators can address their grievances visibly and safely.
Heck, during the demonstrations I’ve attended there, motorists more often than not express their solidarity – honking in agreement, smiling, waving arms and even shouting the occasional profanity about…well, you know who.
And who can complain about that? Other than The Great DeSanitizer.
Memorial to a traffic calming pioneer
Speaking of GNV’s most traffic calmed streets, a large part of the credit for Depot and South Main’s design is due Bob Karp. In addition to being a champion of human rights and a clean elections advocate, Karp was, for many years, a citizen pioneer in the struggle to make GNV more walkable, bikable and transit friendly.
Bob passed away last year, much too prematurely, and his loss will long be felt. But although gone, his memory will not soon be forgotten.
So the next time you attend a demonstration at Depot and Main, please take a few minutes to walk one block south to the next roundabout, at Main and SE 10th Ave.
It has been newly designated the Robert Karp Roundabout by the City. And Bob’s friends have provided a plaque that explains Karp’s work to improve GNV’s quality of life for all.
You will find the plaque right next to the do-it-yourself bike repair stand where the GNV-Hawthorne connector trail crosses South Main. The location alone would have pleased Karp, an urban cyclist who refused to drive as a matter of principle.
FreeGNV 