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Oh lord, what's to be done with these people? It's every week with the loud speakers in Dolores Park, blasting devotional music and testimony and dogma and so forth. You can hear them from blocks away.
They're not there to persuade anyone; like Critical Mass or Dore Alley, these aggressive displays of difference just reinforce the gulf of "we're totally unlike you," rather than adopting the shrewd Scientology approach of "hey, look, this is something that you've been seeking all along."
But the problem isn't their message -- it could be about global warming or shoe stores or a dramatic reading of Sixteen Candles for all we care -- it's that they're being loud, and we're just trying to enjoy a nice day in a public park for Pete's sake. But they don't mean to be making anyone grumpy; they really think they're doing everyone a favor. They think they're being nice. Meanwhile, everyone else just wants them to go away.
So: what's to be done? You could ask them to stop, but just as with noisy neighbors, they don't care that they're irritating; if they were polite, they wouldn't be making a racket in the first place. Or you could blast them back with a loudspeakering of the "Every Sperm is Sacred" song, a sort of mutually-assured deafening. Of course, that's not likely to make them leave.
We're partial to the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach: make them uncomfortable by holding signs reading "God is Goddamn Great," and giving highly detailed testimony about how you found Jesus during the physical act of love. Hey, it's a public space: you might as well play along until they just want to take their toys and go home.
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You know, these people also have the right to free speech. It appalls me that you can criticize these people for expressing that right, yet praise other groups' efforts.
those hands opening the cartoon-y heart are...kind of gory.
At least they don't beat up old people and moms like the Critical Mob.
It's Goatse!
Any sufficiently long Internet discussion will result in claims about Free Speech from some idiot who can't tell you which constitutional amendment guarantees it.
Your right to free speech does not include an absolute right to use amplified sound.
In the case of WARD v. ROCK AGAINST RACISM, which was about exactly this issue (loud amps in a public park) the Supreme Court held that policies must be
The basic test is the following:
Policies on amplified sound vary by locality. I don't know what SF's policy is; does anyone else know offhand?
I am deeply offended by the accusation that I have ever praised any group's efforts.
"But the problem isn't their message -- it could be about global warming or shoe stores or a dramatic reading of Sixteen Candles for all we care -- it's that they're blocking roads, and we're just trying to get home to our families after work for Pete's sake. But they don't mean to be making anyone grumpy; they really think they're doing everyone a favor. They think they're being nice. Meanwhile, everyone else just wants them to go away."
seriously: can you say this is anything different from critical mass! Not the message, but your angst with it.
simply: they both encroach on ones "personal public space". I've done critical mass before, and I would aggree with anyone who put the above statement towards my actions.
You are right. If one is to criticize this group for being a public nuisance, then the same must be said of any other group doing the same, or else you just have a problem with the message.
the jesus jam band ruined my lovely saturday at dolores. they played what appeared to be one unending freebirdesque hallelujah til i had to leave. oh and they were approaching people as well.
This crowd often sets up loud speakers near the Powell Cable Car turn around to captivate the tourist waiting for the cable cars. Complaints to police mean that the SFPD comes by every 15 minutes, check their permits, then leaves them alone.
The real problem here is that often times their amplifier is too loud for the surrounding area, mixed with fact that they frequently make appearances to flex their first amendment rights. This is an urban area, not Walnut Creek, and all that noise can be overbearing for such a congested area.
Take a page from the Scientology folks, stress test stations with cute girls and free copies of Dianetics work much better and are so much quieter.
They're not there to persuade anyone; like Critical Mass or Dore Alley, these aggressive displays of difference just reinforce the gulf of "we're totally unlike you."
He is saying the Jesus people are like the Critical Mass people. Am I right, Matt?
allright then. Mattz got noisy neighbor syndrome. I feel your pain!..salalulha!..I feeeeel yo pain!
I don't know the specific laws, but I believe they need some kinda permit if they are using an amplified sound system. That would specially apply if it's driving the neighbors crazy loud.
I would contact the Capt of Mission SFPD station. After speaking with him, call or see Supvr Dufty to get help. Access the neighborhood association too- if not a member join and get active.
Burning white candles, sprinkling Santaria blessed chicken blood, Taoist exorcisms, satanic rituals etc in the park may help too.
Keep us posted, and may God help your cause.
Someone ought to remind them that there's a couple of verses in the Bible that essentially call that type of behavior out as attention whoring.
SF has an amplified sound permit policy. You have to have a permit to use any amplified sound in a public place, especially on SF property, from the Entertainment Commission. Contact the permit officer at Mission Police station if you cannot take it anymore and ask them for help. The police can shut anyone down for not having a permit if you get together as neighbors or friends of the park. I believe you have some right to 'quiet enjoyment' of the park.
It's totally goatse! Good call, guest 4.
you know the civil grand jury just got finished tearing the entertainment commission a new a-hole
http://www.bluoz.com/blog/index.php?/archives/189-Civil-Grand-Jury-Entertainment-Commission.html
It looks like they even kept the wedding ring in the goatse heart.
As with all problems associated with Christians, the best solution is the oldest--lions.
And it's called free speech, not free shouting, or free singing, or free sax playing, or free drumming, or free whatever the goddam irritating half of society dream up next with the countless hours of free time they all seem to have. But really, anything remotely Christian that doesn't take in a church should have the hoses immediately turned on it. That's right Jesus I typed that.
Yes, this is the paradox: in trying to convince people of the correctness of their message, they just turn people against them. They *are* similar to Critical Mass in this way, only preaching to the converted.
But I defend their right to do so. It is a public space and they have just as much right to use it as anyone else. I am sure The SF Mime Troop is just as loud.
And just as annoying.
Buy a gun and kill them. End of story!
While we're at it, I'm tired of public parks being used for groups EVERY weekend. I used to hang out at Sharon Meadow, but I got tired of all the stupid shit that goes on there (dog costume contests, etc.). WTF????????
I just stay at home now in my $4,000/month one bedroom home. I might as well be living in a trailer in Indiana and paying $40/week lot rent.
Thanks for making San Francisco an expensive, worthless shithole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone says "you should contact". Thanks for typing a worthless message and doing nothing. Isn't that how our government works? You should run for a public office and then you could suggest lots of things that never happen.
matt, you're the best poster on sfist.
They are terrified of homosexuality, send in the Sisters of perpetual indulgence. Scare them with the prospect that Sisters theoretically could make a pilgrimage to what ever mega church that the sound blasters crawled out of.
I hope that they leave soon. Peace.
It is goatse – but then what does it mean exactly? I mean aren't rockin' fundies opposed to opening what goatse opens to Jesus? Does this mean that this group is not just pro-homosexual sodomy – but pro seriously kinky stuff, with Jesus? I mean they clearly have a sense of humor of some sort, but frankly I don't understand – I am baffled and confused by the message of their banner.
Speaking of the Sisters, wouldn't goatsephile Christians be much more likely to welcome, rather than fear them. The Sisters are far less extreme then any kind of Jesus on goatse action -- (well except that as “sisters” I'm pretty sure they're papists)?
I was in the park this Saturday (it was the perfect day to be there) and had to leave because the Christian rock was a major buzz kill. It is not free speech if they're paying for the permit to be there. It would be quite a different story if other local bands could afford to be there. Maybe we could ask the church that sponsors them to alternately sponsor other local voices- spread the love a little.
Good grief, the goastse hands weren't really there -- I added them in Photoshop. I thought the hands' fakery was evident enough that they didn't need a disclaimer, but I must've underestimated my own PS-fu.
#25 -- I totally agree!
Matt, your PS-fu is indeed mighty (or perhaps I am easily fooled).
OK I just confirmed with Mission SFPD station.
This group needs a permit to blast amplified music. They need to go to the permit officer at Mission or to 850 Bryant to get one. The permit is for specific dates, times.
The next time they are playing, call 553-0123 to complain. An officer will come to investigate. If the group is in violation of a permit due to excessive noise, or has no permit they will be shut down. End of story.
BUT SOMEONE HAS TO CALL THE POLICE 553-0123 while the music is playing. Do not call 911.
I don't go to that park or live in the area. SO whoever this is bugging, need I say more....???
Do it.
These folks are called SOS Ministries San Francisco. They are an evangelical group that want to save the souls of San Francisco. They used to preach on the corner of 18th and Castro, and when you scratch the surface they are extremely homophobic (what a surprise). I would imagine that they had a permit last Saturday. They are well organised and well funded. You can read more at
www.sosmin.com
http://www.sosmin.com/JULY_2007/july_newsletter_2007.html
This is from page 54 of their book available on the website above..(lots more makes great reading..)
In San Francisco, we have experienced a great deal of opposition from some homosexuals who do not want the gospel
preached in "their community." As the gay rights movement spreads, you can expect increased hostility to the gospel by
homosexuals throughout the country. We need to reach these people now, before they become more hardened to God’s
Word.
Christians from a homosexual background need to be very careful about witnessing to gays. Some ex-homosexuals who
have come to San Francisco to witness have fallen into sin. An ex-gay should examine himself realistically to see if he is
ready for this kind of ministry. Generally, I recommend that the person be out of active homosexual involvement at least
a year. Even then, it is quite possible to fall. He should not witness by himself, but go with a strong Christian brother or
sister. He needs to be especially careful witnessing near old hangouts and to old friends and lovers.
The pentecosts at 24th and Mission are the worst. Down with amplified preaching!
Maybe it's time for the citizens to unite and turn back these facist loving evangelical fools. We should form our own groups, get our own permits, buy LOUDER sound systems and stand on the same corners culture jamming the messages of these idiots.
#35 i agree. i think the best thing would be to buy an even bigger sound system and play that FM3 music they talked about in the chron earlier this week. computerized music is both really fun to do random dances to in the park, and also terribly good at drowning out anything else.
so yea, random sfist dance party in the park!!!
Yes, that's right, the solution to the problem of Too Much Noise is to introduce even more noise. Brilliant.
god someone is really grumpy today, must be all that bad jesus noise. mattymatt you seem to be wanting a serious answer to your conundrum to be coming out of this blog. which surprises me, because this is SFist, not your local police precinct--thats where I would go if i wanted a serious answer.
So what was the final outcome? Did anyone actually do anything to stop the noise?