Free Speech Events
Jump to a subject: Application Deadline and Fees | Safety Requirements | Free Speech Activity at Non-Free Speech Events
A Free Speech Event is defined as a march, rally, or demonstration that is a solely expressive activity. This means it is planned to express a view or belief and does not include non-expressive activities like recreation, sports, or food sales. It may include amplified sound from a portable or handheld device.
Mixed Free Speech Events include both an expressive activity and non-expressive activities, such as:
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Recreation like games, arts and crafts activities, or music and dancing
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Competitions like a scavenger hunt or art contest
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Spectator sports like boat races, hockey, or basketball
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Athletic events like a race or a run
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Circuses/fairs/carnivals with booths, games, rides, or similar amusements
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Food-related activities like barbecues, cook-offs, picnics, food distribution, or food festivals
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Sales/trade shows/business promotions like crafts shows, antique shows, merchandise sales or exhibits, or product launches
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Beach or park clean-ups
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Training activities like corporate summits or team-building activities
Application Deadlines and Fees
Free speech events must submit their applications by 90 days before the event start date.
Spontaneous political or religious free speech* events are an exception to that deadline. This kind of free speech event occurs in reaction to news or affairs. Organizers may submit their applications any time before the scheduled event. We can issue these permits within forty-eight hours of receiving an application.
*As defined and protected by the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions.
Fees
Free Speech Events
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The application fee is waived for events designated as Free Speech Events.
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Administrative fees are waived for Free Speech Events.
Mixed Free Speech Events
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The application may be waived at the discretion of the Special Events Committee.
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Administrative fees are charged for the portions of the event related to non-expressive activity.
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See the Special Event Permit Fees section of this handbook for more information.
Safety Requirements
Insurance
The Special Events Committee decides case-by-case whether general liability insurance is required. They base their decision on the event's activities, scope, and expected attendance.
Crowd Control
All special events should have an emergency safety plan. Learn more about specific Public Safety and Event Management requirements.
Seattle Police Department also reviews events case-by-case. They may require assigned Uniformed Police Officers for safety or traffic control.
Training resources for organizers of Marches and Demonstrations:
Legal Free Speech Activity at Non-Free Speech Events
Special events open to the public may attract people who want to distribute information and/or gather signatures. In general, you must allow such activity on public property when it is open to the general public.
Examples of typical scenarios include:
Parks
People can walk around and hand out leaflets or gather signatures in a park without any permit. They must obtain a permit to set up a table.
If a special event has reserved exclusive use of an area or is having a private event, the permit holder may control who can come into the area of the event. Examples include a ticketed or gated event, a company picnic, or a wedding reception.
People can usually leaflet or gather signatures in a public place outside the special event area.
Parades
People can also stand or walk around leafleting or gathering signature at parades. At a parade, the public sidewalk viewing area is generally open to the public, including both those who want to view the parade and those who want to leaflet or gather signatures. People can generally leaflet or gather signatures on the public sidewalk so long as they do not interfere with those watching the parade.
The parade organizers generally control who participates in the parade itself.
Street Fairs
At a street festival or fair, people can circulate with the other visitors leafleting or gathering signatures in the areas of the fair open to the public. However, if they want to set up a table or booth, they would be subject to all the same rules and fees as others who set up similar tables/booths at the event.
However, in all these situations, people cannot leaflet or gather signatures in such a way as to interfere with others' rights to enjoy the park, the parade, or the street fair, interfere with pedestrians or auto traffic, or violate other applicable laws. People also cannot interfere with permitted event such as performances, plays, concerts, or other programs held in parks or on public property.
Contact the Special Events Office if you have questions about free speech activity at your event.