Photo by michael starghill

Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), concerned that rallies and marches launched on short notice are stretching thin the resources of D.C. police, wants activist groups to be required to first obtain permits before walking through the streets, the Post reports.

Evans introduced his bill on the same day that Occupy D.C. is staging its largest activity in months, a May Day rally and march (coordinated with a group of labor unions) that is part of a nationwide day of action by the seven-month-old Occupy movement. (The rally, being held at Meridian Hill Park, will culminate in a march to the White House along 16th Street at 6 p.m., likely causing traffic tie-ups.)

The Post’s Tim Craig writes that Evans, along with House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), wants to see D.C.’s protest culture more closely resemble those of other cities, in which permits and advance notifications are required. Such a move, they argue, would relieve the burden on the Metropolitan Police Department and other city agencies that at times have had to scramble to cover Occupy-related events.

But Evans hasn’t found any co-sponsors to his bill, Craig writes:

Evans and Issa, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said they are trying to make it easier for Police Chief Cathy Lanier to manage traffic flow and police resources during demonstrations.

“Otherwise, she is having to keep people on call constantly,” Evans said.

But Evans, who did not get any co-sponsors for his bill, could struggle to get it approved as council members weigh the needs of police versus the city’s reputation for welcoming demonstrations protected by the First Amendment.

D.C. use to require permits, but those were scrapped after a mass arrest at Pershing Park in 2002 forced the city to shell out over $8 million in settlements with protesters.