Overheard During ‘Amplified Free Speech Day’

For two hours on June 11, residents from the H and 8th Street NE community assembled at the corner of Wisconsin and N Streets NW in Georgetown to demonstrate the absurdity of the broken D.C. noise law. It allows unlimited decibel levels of non-commercial free speech anywhere in the city between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In addition to a very loud amplifier (112 decibels), the demonstration included signs and flyers, which explained the effort to get the city council to fix the statute. Most people understood our plight, but the few that didn't offered some interesting thoughts. It was obvious to everyone, however, that the noise was disturbing. These are but a few of the comments uttered during the event:

“We’re only here for two hours during one day of the year. Imagine this very thing happening for four hours each and every Saturday. Today we will experience how unlimited noise volume affects residents and businesses alike.” --H and 8th Street resident via amplifier

“No limits? This is crazy!” --Georgetown resident
“It certainly is. Please contact the city council.” --H and 8th Street resident

“How long are you going to be on this corner? We’re trying to enjoy our dinner.” --Georgetown restaurant patron
“Another hour.” --H and 8th Street resident
“Well, this is just ridiculous.” --Georgetown restaurant patron
“Yes, I can totally relate. We deal with it for four hours every Saturday.” --H and 8th Street resident

“Are you from D.C.? Please call your councilmember and ask them to fix the noise law.” --H and 8th Street resident
“I’m French and I don’t give a care.” --passerby

“Wow! I totally get it; thanks and good luck!” --passerby

“I’m sorry the noise caused you to leave that wonderful Georgetown restaurant. But what chance does H Street NE have at getting an outdoor café with four hours of this racket each and every Saturday afternoon?” --H and 8th Street resident via amplifier to quickly emptying tables

“It’s a horrible law, something needs to be done about it,” --Georgetown resident

"I'd love to get all liquored up and really yell about stuff...I got a lot to say." --passerby reeking of booze

“I live at 10th and G, NE and hear those guys too. I will definitely e-mail Graham.” --passerby

“You can call 911. Call 311. There’s nothing the police can do to stop this racket! It’s completely legal in D.C.” --H and 8th Street resident via amplifier

“I find it ironic that you’re using noise to fight noise.” --Georgetown business customer

“What was that?” --H and 8th Street resident #1
“I don’t know, but I think it was thrown from the restaurant across the street.” --H and 8th Street resident #2
(Upon further inspection) “Oh, it looks like a slice of tomato.” --H and 8th Street resident #1

“Great way to make your point!” --passerby

“I was going across the way to read and work, but I can’t do that with all this noise.” --Georgetown business customer

“Jim Graham is a hypocrite and a pussy. He lives in the Ontario in Mount Pleasant, that’s where you should be protesting.” --passerby

“My 2-year old kid can’t sleep because of you!” --Georgetown resident
“So sorry, please contact your council member.” --H and 8th Street resident
“Fuck you!” --Georgetown resident

“This is awful; I have to go across the street and work among this!” --Georgetown business employee

“I need to be inside [this business] and won’t be able to have a conversation with my fiancé, who is overseas. You’re ruining everything!” --Georgetown business customer

“You don’t fight fire with fire!” --passerby
“Sometimes you do. Please call your city councilmember.” --H and 8th Street resident

“What are you doing?” --H Street resident on the amplifier to man blowing smoke in his face.
“Infringing on your rights. How do you like it?” --shaking cigarette smoker
“I don’t, so please call the city council and urge them to fix the noise law.” --H Street resident

“If you step foot into my [business], I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.” --Georgetown businessman

"Are you protesting the noise from cars and loud radios? Because that's also very bad." --passerby

"What about the noise from the police boats? Those are very loud, and they go by my house two or three times a night." --passerby

“You should use the upcoming election to your advantage.” --passerby

“Fuck you. I'm just trying to have a nice afternoon.” --Georgetown customer

“Get a job!” --passerby

“No thanks. I’m okay.” --passerby
“Well, the residents of H and 8th Street NE are not. Please call your city councilmember and ask him to fix the noise law.” --H and 8th Street resident

“Shut up!” --Georgetown restaurant patron

One Group’s Noise Displaced by Another’s

Whatever the group, whatever the content, the issue at H and 8th Streets NE is about unlimited levels of amplified non-commercial speech disturbing residents and businesses. That point was exemplified yesterday.

Her calm backyard scene suddenly was punctuated with the familiar staccato sounds of yelling through an amplified loud speaker. Glancing at her watch, Jane marked the 2 p.m. start of the usual weekend noise fest at H and 8th Street NE. She prepared herself to be disturbed by the blaring noise for another four hours. But Saturday’s sound was different. Other neighbors noticed, too.

I spent most of yesterday afternoon in a class, hence the lack of photographs for this posting. But residents in and around the 700 block of 8th Street—drawn out of their homes by the peculiar noise—were greeted by a scene not witnessed in four years: The busy intersection’s four corners were occupied by a total of about 25 men from the Nation of Islam. They employed at least three-battery powered, bullhorn-style amplifiers.

According to 8th Street residents, the men dressed neatly in suits and ties, and were polite and courteous as they distributed leaflets to passersby. The men were followers of the Minister Louis Farrakhan, said the flyers, which invited people to hear Dr. Abdul Alim Muhammad speak on Father’s Day at the Muhammad Mosque No. 4 in southeast Washington, D.C.

The loud, but orderly, event lasted about an hour, according to neighbors, who had expected the men from the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) to drive up at any moment and claim their usual spot on the southeast corner. In the past, small groups of Muslim men have clashed with the ISUPK at H and 8th.

When questioned, two Nation of Islam members politely gave no reason for the sudden demonstration. They told residents they were unaware other groups assembled at the intersection during that same Saturday time slot.

In any event, there were no signs of the ISUPK yesterday. After the Nation of Islam departed, the neighborhood resumed its acceptable hum of urban noise, void of any peace-disturbing amplifier.

Witnesses confirmed yesterday’s one-hour assembly was loud and disruptive to residents and businesses, but its duration lessened the impact compared to the usual four-hour amplified noise-athon.

The neighbors welcome all groups to exchange speech in the free marketplace of ideas—but please leave the amplifiers at home.

Graham Shows Hypocrisy on Metro Transit Rights Issue

In his reluctance to seek a fix to the broken D.C. noise law, D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham—who chairs the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs—says he wants to help H and 8th Street NE residents and businesses find relief from hours of noise blaring from one group’s amplifier. As a Metro Transit Board member, he also should remember the intersection is a very busy Metro Transit bus stop.

Graham claims he needs more ideas to address the broken noise statute, lest it diminish someone else’s rights. A story in today’s Washington Post shows his conflicted view of those rights he fears to trample.

According to the Post story, Graham—who represents D.C. on the Washington Area Metro Transit Board of Directors—took issue with fellow board member Robert Smith’s remarks about homosexuals, which were made on a political affairs cable television show. Graham brought up the issue during a Metro board meeting:

At the Metro meeting, board member Jim Graham, who represents the District, had called for Smith to disavow his remarks or apologize or for Ehrlich to remove him. “As someone who cares deeply about human rights, and as an openly gay elected official . . . I cannot remain silent in the face of these comments,” Graham said, reading from a prepared statement.

Smith was removed from the board by Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich.

The H and 8th Street NE residents in pursuit of peace and quiet in a residential area have focused on the issue of unreasonably loud amplified speech. This is a health and safety issue. We contend that the content of that speech is a protected first amendment right.

However, we also should not be forced to listen—in our own homes or in H Street businesses—to the ugly, hateful words against homosexuals, whites, Koreans, Muslims, or Christians.

Worse, the Metro Transit customers who wait at the bus stop located in the amplifier’s crosshairs are the ones that receive the brunt of the high decibels and hateful content. Whether it’s damaged hearing or harassment, these also are Graham’s constituents whose rights he claims to care so deeply about.

If Council/Metro Transit Board Member Graham believes what he says, his principles should be applied evenly—on behalf of the Metro bus riders, the residents and businesses of H and 8th Street NE.

Media Picks Up Noise; Graham Calls for Ideas

On the media front, Sunday’s Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day received news coverage from NBC-TV 4 and ABC-TV 7; Voice of the Hill newspaper; Roll Call; the Georgetown Current; a brief mention in an online chat with Washington Post’s Potomac Confidential columnist Marc Fisher; as well as the online and print editions of the Washington Post Express.

And here’s the latest installment from Voice of the Hill. Councilmember Jim Graham, chairman of the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, hasn’t yet returned my phone call, but he tells reporter Gary Emerling “his hands are still tied regarding crafting a fix to the noise law.”

“Give me an idea,” he tells Emerling. “I feel for these people. Give me an idea that doesn’t take away others’ rights."

Several attorneys have contacted me with ideas to share with Chairman Graham. Meanwhile, you can too. If D.C. cannot emulate another municipality’s best practice, then we must get creative and reinvent the wheel.

Simply post your idea in the comments section. Then also copy and paste it into an email and send it to:
D.C. Council Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Chair Jim Graham (ph: 202-724-8181; email: jgraham@dccouncil.us)
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans (ph: 202-724-8058; email: jackevans@dccouncil.us)
Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (ph: 202-724-8072; email: sambrose@dccouncil.us)

Listening for the Amplifier’s Echo

Blasting residents and businesses with unreasonably loud levels of amplified speech to make a point is a very confrontational approach—it’s disturbing, stressful and unsafe.

We witnessed in Georgetown Sunday what our neighborhood experiences every Saturday at H and 8th Streets NE.

Sunday’s Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day was part of the ongoing process to fix D.C.’s broken noise law. The residents, who live in and around the 700 block of 8th Street NE, continue to evaluate the effects of Sunday’s action, which provided the neighborhood around Wisconsin and N Streets NW an example of what happens weekly in northeast Washington: For two hours the northwest neighborhood was pummeled with 112 decibels of amplified, non-commercial speech.

The event did illustrate quite clearly how residents and businesses are negatively impacted by unlimited amplified speech. And we distributed fliers and spoke with several hundred people to help them understand the absurdity of the noise law.

This morning I left a phone message for Councilmember Jim Graham, who chairs the Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. I wait to hear back.

Just Like H Street NE, Noise Annoys in Georgetown

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) H and 8th Street NE neighbors Marc and Jane use an amplifier to explain to residents, passersby and remaining restaurant patrons in Georgetown Sunday afternoon that they must contact the city council to quiet the extremely loud amplified speech in their community. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day obviously was annoying, irritating and stressful for the vibrant community in and around the Wisconsin and N Street NW intersection of Georgetown Sunday.

Neighbors from across town—who live in and around the 700 block of 8th Street NE—setup an amplifier and blasted the intersection from 3-5 p.m. to demonstrate the absurdity of D.C.'s broken noise law. It allows unlimited, amplified, non-commercial speech from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in any D.C. residential community.

No permits are needed and there are no limits on loudness. The message was "we are making noise to fix the noise. If you want quiet, contact the city council."

Sunday's experience was just two hours during one day for the residents and businesses of Georgetown. For the residents and businesses of H and 8th, it's more than four hours of amplified noise each and every Saturday afternoon.

Using a decibel meter, we measured the noise blaring from our amplifier to be at 112 decibels—about the loudness of a rock concert or table saw. Two television stations were on the scene to cover the Georgetown noisefest. In four years, they've never ventured to examine the H Street NE noise problem.

The H and 8th Street group distributed fliers and explained the reason for the noise intrusion. In most conversations with people in Georgetown Sunday, a person's anger and frustration usually subsided after they understood the issue of unlimited noise, and saw the importance of contacting the city council. But not everyone. Especially upset were the nearby restaurants with outdoor seating. One disgruntled patron threw a tomato slice our way.

While the Georgetown eateries may have been affected for two hours, restaurants in and around H and 8th Streets NE may never even have a chance to open amongst the unabated racket.

It's absurd, disturbing and a breach of the peace. It's time for the D.C. City Council to fix the broken noise law now to balance free speech with the right to peace and quiet.

Please urge the D.C. city council to balance free speech with the right to peace and quiet and to take action to fix the D.C. noise law.

Contact:
D.C. Council Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Chair Jim Graham (ph: 202-724-8181; email: jgraham@dccouncil.us)

Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans (ph: 202-724-8058; email: jackevans@dccouncil.us)

Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (ph: 202-724-8072; email: sambrose@dccouncil.us)
(CLICK TO ENLARGE) A Georgetown resident (right) learns why an amplifier is blaring yards from her home and that the city council must protect citizens from unreasonable actions of rude people. An amplifier broadcasts one group's non-commercial speech at homes and businesses around H and 8th Street NE every Saturday. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

Happy Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day!

FIX D.C. NOISE LAW NOW

Mission: We support freedom of speech AND the right to peace and quiet.

The residents of the 700 block of 8th Street NE are demonstrating the absurdity of D.C.’s broken noise law. It allows unlimited, amplified, non-commercial speech from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in any D.C. residential community. There are no limits on loudness.

The neighbors from northeast will assemble at the intersection of Wisconsin and N Streets NW in Georgetown from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 11.

We are following the example of one group’s regular activities nearly every Saturday at the southeast corner of H and 8th Streets NE.

The city allows them to operate a battery-powered amplifier for more than four hours unhindered at decibel levels equal to a rock concert (110 decibels). The amplifier blasts residential homes within yards of the assembled speakers. No permit is required.

We don’t advocate removing anyone from any corner. We understand people living in a city must expect a certain amount of urban noise, but we also believe in the community’s right to the pursuit of peace and quiet in one’s own home.

Please urge the D.C. city council to balance free speech with the right to peace and quiet and to take action to fix the D.C. noise law.

Contact:
D.C. Council Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Chair Jim Graham (ph: 202-724-8181; email: jgraham@dccouncil.us)

Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans (ph: 202-724-8058; email: jackevans@dccouncil.us)

Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (ph: 202-724-8072; email: sambrose@dccouncil.us)

Other members of the D.C. City Council.

After Dueling Interviews, Amplifier More Mellow...For Now

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) In a digital showdown at the southeast corner of H and 8th St NE, a man from the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) and I record images of each other. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

It was noticeably quieter yesterday for the residents living in and around the 700 block of 8th Street NE. One group’s amplifier still was present, but apparently it was turned waaaaay down. Don’t get me wrong—it still was loud, but not the ear-splitting, peace-disturbing level of the past. Perhaps the ISUPK was trying to be on its best behavior in light of the recent uptick in media interest in this story about noise.

After I walked the few short steps from my home, I arrived at the corner, where Furious Zion—a.k.a. James Henry or Sunglasses Man—and I exchanged some words about his and my recent Washington Post Express interviews. (I was somewhat disappointed that his interview garnered many more reader comments than mine did.)

We both agreed that it was good people were learning about the issue at H and 8th Streets—we both said people would come to realize the truth. However, I think he and I have different interpretations of what the truth really is. While I can’t speak for Mr. Henry, for the neighbors living in and around the 700 block of 8th Street NE, the truth is the desire for quieter Saturdays.

I wanted to discuss this more, but our conversation abruptly ended when one of the other USUPKers who calls himself "Lord's Chosen" beckoned Mr. Henry away. I never had a chance to see where he'd be for Sunday's Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day.

The H and 8th Street NE neighbors will be in Georgetown Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the intersection of Wisconsin and N Streets NW in Georgetown.

Community Responds to ISUPK Comments

Protection from excessive noise. That is all the residents of H and 8th Street NE ask.

Based on comments to yesterday's Express Free Ride interview with the ISUPK's Virginia-based James Henry, it is obvious that people in the neighborhood--and beyond--are concerned and care about the issue.

I also was heartened by peoples' consideration for each other--an example of the kind of community that makes this world just a little bit better.

The comments not only defended the neighborhood's right to peace and quiet, but also Mr. Henry's right to speak.

We hope the D.C. city council can hear us. Are they listening?

Knowingly in the Wrong, ISUPK Pulls ‘Race Card’

Looks like I correctly predicted the response from the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) about the noise issue at H and 8th Streets NE.

An interview with James Henry, who calls himself “Furious Zion,” was published by the Washington Post’s online Express today.

The ISUPK was responding to an interview with me about Quest for Quiet, which the Express published Monday.

Despite what James Henry and the ISUPK claim, this is nothing more than a noise issue. It's what the residents living in and around the 700 block of 8th Street have been saying all along:

The residents--of all shapes, sizes and colors--who live in and around the 700 block of 8th Street NE support the rights to free speech, religion and assembly. We don't advocate removing anyone from the corner. And while we understand people living in a city must expect a certain amount of urban noise, we also believe in the community's right to the pursuit of peace and quiet in one's own home.

Mr. Henry should quit seeing shades of gray and get a decibel meter. Four or more hours of amplified speech blasted at 110 decibels (about the level of a rock concert) disturbs a residential area’s peace and quiet each and every Saturday afternoon.

Mega-Man's Speech is Loud, but Short

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) A fellow calling himself “Mega-Man” uses a battery powered amplifier Tuesday in the grassy area outside the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Ave. in Washington, D.C. He blasted the area with religious content arranged in a rhyming and rhythmic pattern for about 10 minutes during the lunch hour. People craned their necks to see where the ruckus was originating, but nobody asked him to turn down his machine, which is powered by eight, size C batteries, according to Mega-Man. He continued his pattern of rhyme while speaking to me face-to-face. He said police rarely hassle him about the noise, but usually everyone’s very polite because he only uses the amplifier, while loud, for short durations. Mega-Man's approach contrasts with those of the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge at H and 8th Streets NE. They rudely blast the area around H and 8th Streets NE with nearly four hours of non-stop amplified speech each and every Saturday. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

Noise Alert Was Issued for Georgetown

The DC Emergency Management Agency emails frequent weather alerts to people who subscribe to the agency’s automated alert service. But a June 4 alert caught the attention of one Quest for Quiet reader.

A Noise Alert Advisory (isn’t “alert advisory” a bit redundant?) was issued to the communities of Georgetown, Burleith and Hillandale. It actually was related to the demolition of a building called the Tencza Terrace located on Fort Myer. It was imploded early Sunday morning by a company contracted with the U.S. Army.

The reader couldn’t help but wonder if Georgetown was so sensitive to loud noises that perhaps a Noise Alert Advisory would be issued for the June 11 Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day.

In the meantime, here’s the noise alert advisory text:

From: Alert DC [mailto:alert823@alert.ema.dc.gov]
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 11:47 AM
To: Alert DC Users
Subject: Noise Alert Advisory for June 4

This alert sent to the communities of Georgetown, Burleith and Hillandale

This alert received from Arlington Emergency Management and MPD2D Police.

On Sunday, June 4, 2006 at approximately 6:30 AM, a demolition company contracted by the US Army will be imploding Tencza Terrace, the high rise base housing complex located on Fort Myer. The complex is located just inside the Fort Myer gate at South 2nd Street. The event will be monitored by the Office of Emergency Management.

The Police Department will be assisting the military with road closures in the area just outside the base beginning at approximately 6:00 AM.

The following roads will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic:
* Hatfield Gate entrance to Fort Myer will be closed at 4:00 AM.
* The South 2nd Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic at South 2nd Street and South Courthouse Road at 6:00 AM.
* Washington Boulevard eastbound at South Walter Reed Drive will be closed at approximately 6:20 AM.
* Washington Boulevard westbound after the on ramp from Columbia Pike will be closed at approximately 6:20 AM.
* Exit 8A on Route 395 to Washington Boulevard will be closed at approximately 6:20 AM.

All roads will reopen once the "ALL CLEAR" is given by the military and the contractor. This should be no later than 6:40 AM. Due to this event, there will be sirens sounding after 6:15 AM and a loud explosion at approximately 6:30 AM.

Sent by Edward Solomon to cell phones, pagers, e-mail accounts
Powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network
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https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/myalertlog.php?s_alert_id=823

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Post's Express Takes Free Ride on Quest for Quiet

In an exclusive interview posted today, Michael Grass of the Washington Post’s Express Free Ride digs deeper into the festering noise issue at H and 8th Streets NE.

Grass says he even sent an offer for a similar interview to the webmaster of the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge’s (ISUPK) blog. Stay tuned to see if the ISUPK screamers take him up on the offer.

Meanwhile, Citywide Amplified Free Speech Day is Sunday, June 11. If you don't have your own amplifier or have other plans for the day, at least take a moment and ask the D.C. City Council to fix the broken noise law.

What’s Good Enough for H Street is Good Enough for Georgetown

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Residential homes and apartments in the 700 block of 8th Street NE are visible in this photo of the amplified fellows from the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK). The image of the southeast corner of H and 8th Streets NE was made from the seat of a passing Metro bus at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Their blaring speech from a battery-powered amplifier continued until after 7 p.m. Residents actually heard the word “shit”—a commonly accepted profanity—among the words broadcast yesterday. However, this word should be no big deal compared to the routine blasting of the words “faggot,” “nigger,” “cracker,” and “death to the white man.” (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

A handful of residents from the 700 block of 8th Street NE continue to prepare for next Sunday’s (June 11) Amplified Free Speech Day. We plan to assemble at the corner of Wisconsin and N Streets in Georgetown from 3-5 p.m. I can safely say each of us has other things we’d rather be doing on one Sunday afternoon, but hope a year’s worth of Saturdays will be quieter for the action.

Ward 1 Councilmember Jack Evans authored the 2004 amendment to the District of Columbia noise statute, which means, according to the Office of Attorney General, any person can use an amplifier to broadcast non-commercial speech anywhere in the city from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. This also apparently means Evan’s language provides no restriction on the loudness measured in terms of decibels.

We’ve been asking for Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Jim Graham for a fix, but I suppose Evans—who maintains his amendment only should apply to Georgetown—could also repair it. He that giveth also can taketh away, afterall.

We absolutely support free speech. But at 110 decibels—about the same loudness as a rock concert—the amplifier’s use for more than four hours every Saturday has a detrimental affect on H Street NE community residents and businesses alike. And if the city really wants to uphold free speech rights, they should provide every D.C. resident a portable amplifier.

Would Georgetown residents and businesses allow the city to tolerate this toxic behavior? Why does the city council ignore the residents and business working hard to build a community around H Street NE?

We’ll see next Sunday.

‘I Am An American!’

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) “I am an American!” screams a man in response to amplified words hurled at him May 13 by members of the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK), who had alleged the man was a “faggot” and every vulgar variation thereof. The words echoed throughout the residential homes and apartments in the 700 block of 8th Street NE. The fellow had little chance to defend himself publicly because the abusive amplifier smothered his unaided voice. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)