100s participate in protest rally

BY Ariana Shah

More than 300 golf carts and a few autos were estimated to take to the streets on Sunday in a hastily-organized parade to bring attention to the Canyon Lake POA’s recent proposal to change association rules regarding content on signs and flags.

The group, organized by resident Tim Cook and others, named itself Fight for our Flags and called upon like-minded Canyon Lakers to join them in a protest parade. The rally took to the main thoroughfares in Canyon Lake from Gault Field at the North Gate area all the way out the Main Gate and into the Canyon Lake Town Center.

The parade, which began at 4:00 p.m., consisted of a steady stream of golf carts and passed by Canyon Lakers in their yards cheering them on. The 300 carts with an estimated 800 people on board ended the rally at the Canyon Lake POA office in the Canyon Lake Town Center.

Photo by Ariana Shah

“As a Canyon Lake resident for over 20 years, I’ve never been more proud of this community,” Sabrina Alt, one of the organizers, said. “The rally was an amazing show of patriotic support in asking the POA board to allow the community to vote on the political flag issue rather than taking away our freedoms by executive order. With almost 300 vehicles and 800-plus residents in attendance, I think our voices were heard. Stay tuned for the March 9 Zoom board meeting!”

Attendees passed around a petition to oppose the changing of rule GR 4.5-4.6 without community members’ vote. The group said it created the petition to show the POA Board how many people were opposed to the proposed changes.

The parade did not face any issues with the Canyon Lake POA. Community patrol was present for such a large gathering, but the group appeared to not be engaging in anything outside of POA rules.

The Canyon Lake POA issued a statement late last week acknowledging the rally and its right to assemble.

Photo by Ariana Shah

“The next round of proposed changes to the rules related to signs and flags is expected to be introduced at the Regular Session Board Meeting on March 9,” the POA said in the statement. “The board continues to receive divergent opinions about the changes that have been suggested that include a rally/parade this Sunday. The board has received and heard many opinions about the event that is scheduled, and we expect that the participants will provide a robust illustration of the diversity of flags that they wish to remain unregulated.

“The Canyon Lake POA Rules & Regulations currently prohibit flags that contain any ‘obscene content’ or ‘fighting words’ as those terms are defined in the law. There are no Canyon Lake POA rules related to the organization of impromptu rallies or parades within the community, except that the participants need to obey the Rules & Regulations. This includes the Section V: Rules for Motor Vehicles, and respect the limitations that are in place for public gatherings due to COVID-19. Community Patrol will be present and will enforce that the rules are followed for the community’s safety, as always. When rallies or parades leave the community, they are then under the jurisdiction of the City of Canyon Lake, Riverside County and the State of California.”

Photo by Ariana Shah

The Fight for Our Flags group pulled off the parade within 10 days after a POA Board Meeting on Feb. 17.

“I’m grateful the community came out and spoke for a change,” Tim Cook said. “I plan on running for the board to do the same!”

The POA tabled a decision at its last meeting to update some of its rules to define what types of signage should be included in the existing regulations. After hearing from hundreds of Canyon Lakers on the subject, the board is expected to begin the rule change process at its board meeting next week.

Although flags were mentioned during the various discussions, board members attempted to clarify at its last meeting that the revised rules were not speaking of traditional flags. The directors also explained that the only signage the association could monitor and make rules on would be those displayed in Canyon Lake POA community areas, including the setback between the street and the beginning of a property owner’s private lot.

Photo by Ariana Shah

The board has mentioned in both its meetings and its communications with its members how important member feedback is. Its statement on Friday also encouraged more community opinions to be shared with it.

“This issue is about possible changes to General Rules 4.5 and General Rules 4.6 and perhaps others,” the statement read. “As mentioned at our last meeting, the board would like to receive specific recommended changes to the rules from both the supporters and opponents that 1) Will achieve their aims. 2) Support the promise that we will promote the peaceful enjoyment of the property. 3) Protect the rights of all members of our community.”

Members can email recommendations to the board at board@
canyonlakepoa.com.

Photo by Ariana Shah