“Hungering for Venice Beach Boardwalk Freedom” is the theme of a protest hunger fast that Santa Monica activist Jerry Rubin was scheduled to begin yesterday, March 22, at noon outside the Venice Beach Recreation Center at Windward Avenue on the boardwalk.
Joining Rubin at the onset of his fast were Venice boardwalk free-speech advocates, artists and street performers who oppose the new lottery permit system that took effect on March 1 on the boardwalk .
Rubin was given a misdemeanor citation on March 5 for selling political bumper stickers without a lottery permit.
Describing the new system as “unnecessary, unfair, possibly unconstitutional and certainly un-Venice,” Rubin said he would drink only water, herb tea and juice until his April 19 court appearance, at which he will plead not guilty and request a full jury trial.
Rubin has asked that enforcement of the lottery be delayed until the new L.A. City Council member from District 11 takes office on July 1.July 4, 2005 is the hundredth birthday of the founding of “Venice of America.”
