Community Corner

BART Vows to Develop Policy After Free Speech Protests

Board members knew cell phone service might be shut off prior to the first demonstration, but created no clear policy at the time.

BART's board of directors was briefed on the controversial option to shut-off cell phone service four days before a planned demonstration at one of its San Francisco stations, but took no action, leaving the final decision with Paul Oversier, assistant general manager of operations at BART and the BART police chief.

Stung by strong local and national criticism for the cell phone shutdown, BART board members today found themselves debating both sides of a fine line between allowing protesters freedom of speech and providing public safety.

The agency met to address recent protests over the agency’s ultimate decision to suspend cellular service in downtown San Francisco train stations on Aug. 11. The cell interruption was an effort to thwart a planned protest over the BART police’s fatal shooting of a homeless man at Civic Center BART on July 3. 

Find out what's happening in Foster Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

BART cited safety concerns for cutting phone service, stating that a protest on a train platform might lead to injuries and possible deaths, especially during the congested evening commute.

“BART police had credible evidence that protesters would resort to violent and illegal actions,” said BART General Counsel Matthew Burrows.

Find out what's happening in Foster Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But protesters interpreted the agency’s decision as a way to quash their First Amendment rights. As a result, hundreds of people gathered on Aug. 15 and 22 at downtown BART stations and along Market Street, prompting BART to interrupt train service and close some San Francisco stations during the evening commutes. 

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California sent a letter to BART officials on Aug. 22 stating that although under certain circumstances freedom of speech can be regulated and punished, courts have upheld that it cannot be prevented. Meaning, BART cannot forbid any cellphone user from speaking to another. 

And, the letter cites court examples that even when customers may be using a cellphone to facilitate crime, carriers cannot shut-off service.

“Do we want to have a society where the government shuts down a network used by thousand and thousand of people simply because a few of those people are using it for a particular purpose?” asked ACLU of Northern California staff attorney Michael Risher.

BART's legal counsel said it acted within its legal authority, pointing to a Supreme Court decision, Brandenburg v. Ohio, that allows the restriction of free speech that is “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action.”

“What we’re seeing is what happens when two rights collide,” said BART Director Joel Keller. “The right to safety and the right to free speech. That’s what we acted on as an agency.”

For example, BART believed the protesters might become too rowdy and accidentally push someone into the tracks.

About 36,000 people enter and exit Embarcadero station during the evening rush hour, or about 177 people per minute, according to Oversier.

A train service interruption of even 8 minutes during rush hour can have dire consequences on platform overcrowding, Oversier said.

Some argued that disrupting cellphone service was contradictory to maintaining safety. 

“If BART cared about public safety, it would allow people to call 911,” said a man who identifies himself as Krystof, the leader of No Justice No BART, the organization behind the protests.

He said he aims to continue organizing protests until BART disbands the police force. 

Linda Drattell, a spokesperson for the Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency, thought it was imprudent to shut off cell service that is critical, especially in an emergency, to the many deaf and hearing impaired people that ride BART.

The Board again took no action after today’s meeting, but will review its policy on cell phone disruption for future instances.

BART Director Lynette Sweet said BART must work with the public to restore trust, and that First Amendment rights must not be infringed upon under the pretense of safety.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here