Market backs down on moving Free Speech out Manager deny responsibility for creating space problem

By Alan “Lorax” Hirsch

As announced via an article in the Enterprise, the free speech area will be at least partially returned to previous location and operating rules/customs. There will be a celebration of this free speech victory Saturday, at 8 am under the big tree in the community area. Sparking juice, American flag and copies of the US Constitution will be provided. As well as a bit of speechifying noting the power of community, and how we can’t take our rights for granted.

Do read the enterprise piece, (link), but note the reporter did not fact check statement by “officials” with source on the other side of this controversy, The result is the Enterprise piece misconstrued what was going on. The Market manager Randii MacNear says the community group use has grown  so it overcrowded with 17-20 community groups, but as the attached photo shows, on 6/2/2018 (typical for that period), the community space accommodated 39 groups. What has happened subsequently to Covid  is that the market manager has allowed food trucks to invade the original space—and the city thoughtlessly added three bike racks taking up other of the precious space.  You can see why this would not be acknowledged by those involved.

Signup sheet of free speech community group area showing 39 groups can be accommodated in current area.

Picture of the three bike racks the city has added to this reduce the table space in the community area. There are many other places for bike racks.

Background: Community and political groups had been removed from tabling in the Farmers Market Vendor row along the C street sidewalk to an isolated unshaded part of Central Park. This happened with just 4 days’ notice 4/22/25, a decision made with no community groups’ input and no chance for feedback. Groups are concerned there would be no foot traffic in the new location and make it a waste of their time for their volunteers to table. The city manager said 30+ people that do the volunteer tabling should just give market manager’s idea “a try.” 

However, the forced relocation test last Saturday 4/26 cut passers-by 90%.  See linked articles below- which offer pictures as evidence.

The map from the 2006 City contract with the Market (DFMA, Inc). This shows the market manager has no legal authority over the parking spaces where community groups were ordered out of last week.

Picture of dumpster that sat on C street sidewalk by restroom for over a decade through 2018. You can also see it on the 2006 map taking up two possible tabling spots. To me, the persistence of this eyesore taking up prime tabling spaces— reflective of fact neither the Market Management nor City took this unique community gathering space very seriously.

Davis: A Safe Space- but is there room for Diversity & Difference?

The real motivation for change is unclear. My guess is based on discussion with the Market Manager. I believe she is apolitical—she only cares about retail sale. But she likely feels this all is bad for business, all this community activity and discussion, interaction, diversity and sometime conflict of views. It feels like they are out of control.

The Market is not It is not a “safe space” for some passers-by who feel threaten by seeing things like:

• Flat Earthers who think its all a big conspiracy,
• Democratic Socialist that question capitalism, or
• Israel advocacy table with its posters showing raw antisemitic phrases used by the Nazis. (not to endorse them, but to raise alarm they are evolved and still in use)

The market manager hears from passers-by, likely most new to Davis, who are struck this is not an apolitical place  like the grocery store or other Farmers Markets they are used to.  I and other tablers have heard that (likely Trump supporters) have complained to the Market Manager about progressive tablers being “aggressive.” I now only pass out “lover you neighbor” “support science” or welcome immigrants-sign ($18,000 worth, but at one point had a flier about how to “Resist Trump”. I typically had 3-5 passers to let me know I was not OK with my views every single Saturday for 3 years (I kept a count). I responded with a smile—and logged if a discussion happened.  But on occasion complaints were registered by these Trumpers with the market manager herself- I was alleged to be “aggressive” or one time “rowdy.” If you can’t see this as “Karening”-then any unhappy customer can be bad for business of you view the primary role of the Farmers Market is only selling vegetables, and there is no offsetting ‘good’ in giving out “Love Your Neighbor” lawn signs.

We should admit ideas can be uncomfortable, even threatening for some. And there is a tradeoff here apart from Constitution Free Speech rights issue. But people can avoid walking into the free speech area on Saturday, they shop at one of the apolitical groceries elsewhere in Davis or play with their children in another play structure- or even come after 1pm when Market closes. But there is no other time or place like the Saturday Market for these community groups to table and have this exposure. 

===Background articles w/links ====

Farmers Market forgets its about Community

Community & political tabling is dying in new park location.

Enterprise: Davis Farmers Market free speech area to move back to C Street following concerns