That was a pretty thoughtful comment, Matt. I think the "antagonistic mob drive" comment was a bit overstated, though - I remember leaving my torches and pitchfork behind before the leafleting/tabling/picketing. As you know, size isn't always everything, and some "corporate swine" have better policies towards employees and customers than A FEW of the smaller businesses, where the "shopkeeper mentality" allows the biases of the owner to creep into managerial policy, without regard to basic human rights.

The unfortunate fact is that some of the more aggressive businesses have managed to get Council to pass a whole set of ordinances which are shockingly repressive and unconstitutional. They basically want Pacific Avenue to be run like a private mall (where the Supreme Court has ruled that free speech does not apply - Pruneyard decision), except with services, parking, and most policing paid for by the public. Until they buy the street, sidewalks, utiltiies, and police from us, they shouldn't have the right to impose their will on the public's use of OUR space.