Carrying A Flagpole To A Protest? Not In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Beach City Council has forbidden flags on poles at rallies or during protests on city beaches, sidewalks, roadways or at public buildings, they decided at Tuesday's city council meeting.

During that meeting, Police Chief Laura Farinella suggested the emergency order to prohibit items considered weapons to include flagpoles, a May 2 protest showed officials that the hand-held poles could be considered weapons.

"When police and lifeguards responded, poles could have been used as weapons," she said. "Some were very long, and in some cases, people had two."

If people wish to carry flags in Laguna Beach during rallies, they need to remove them from poles or face a misdemeanor.

The council unanimously agreed to the police chief's recommendation. According to the Orange County Register, Laguna Beach is the first city in Orange County to pass an anti-flagpole law.