The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban strobe lights fromprotests and demonstrations. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced the motion — which was seconded by Councilman Joe Buscaino — on July 28, calling strobe lights capable of disorienting or temporarily blinding police officers and protesters. Raman noted that the City Council is usually careful and specific in its instructions to the city attorney on ordinances. I do feel like the instructions that we’re providing this particular referral to the city attorney to create this ordinance are clearly overbroad. According to the motion, “the use of strobe lights can be extremely harmful as the lights can disorient and/or temporarily blind both police officers and protesters.”It also states that people have used strobe lights against officers during recent demonstrations in Echo Park and Hollywood.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 17, 2021 23:26 UTC