Latest news with #PacificBeach
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Court rules teaching yoga is ‘protected speech' as classes resume at San Diego beach
Yoga classes are back on at San Diego beaches this week after a federal appeals court ruled that a city ordinance restricting such activities was unconstitutional and that teaching yoga is 'protected speech'. The three-judge panel of the US ninth circuit court of appeals on Wednesday overruled a San Diego judge and decided in favor of two instructors who had sued over a law that San Diego passed in 2024 banning yoga classes of four or more people at shoreline parks and beaches. 'Because the ordinance targets teaching yoga, it plainly implicates [the instructors'] first amendment right to speak,' the ruling stated, finding that the ordinance violated the instructors' rights. The city had argued the rule wasn't specific to yoga, but commercial activity, as the instructors Steven Hubbard and Amy Baack's free classes can draw as many as 100 people who give donations for each class ranging from $5 to $40. 'The city's legitimate governmental interests in this case include the preservation, safety, and orderly use of its parks and beaches by all visitors and residents who visit them,' San Diego's attorneys wrote in court papers, adding that the city and county drew 32 million visitors in 2023. By Thursday, Hubbard had resumed teaching yoga to a dozen people underneath palm trees in the park at Pacific Beach. He said he was cited for his classes, which are free and open to all, at least 10 times since the ordinance took effect last year. He began holding classes on a livestream from his backyard, just across the street from the beach. Bryan Pease, a lawyer for both instructors, said a park official cited Hubbard for holding classes in the park even though he was not there. Outdoor yoga is a service to those who are disabled or can't afford yoga classes elsewhere, said Pease. 'It is a popular thing here. We're a beach community, and it's a way for people to access yoga that they wouldn't otherwise be able to,' Pease said. At the Pacific Beach park, John Noack, who has attended Hubbard's classes for four years, said he thinks the group was targeted because wealthy homeowners in the area didn't want people disturbing their oceanfront views. 'I personally see this as a triumph of community over a handful of elites,' Noack said.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Yoga classes return to San Diego beachfront park after appeals court deems them 'protected speech'
Steve Hubbard was back teaching yoga in a San Diego beachfront park on Thursday, the day after a federal appeals court ruled against the California city's ban on his classes in shoreline parks and beaches. 'We're all happy to be back,' Hubbard, who is known as 'NamaSteve,' said as at least a dozen mat-toting enthusiasts wrapped up class beneath towering palm trees with a view of waves crashing onto Pacific Beach. The decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals came after Hubbard and another instructor sued over a 2024 law that barred yoga classes in shoreline parks and beaches in San Diego for at least four or more people — a move local officials said was aimed at a range of activities to ensure that public spaces are truly available to all members of the public. The panel found the ordinance violated the instructors' rights and that teaching yoga is 'protected speech.' San Diego is known for its picturesque beaches and bountiful sunshine and visitors flock to the city to surf, swim and spot sea lions— especially during the peak summer season. City attorneys wrote in court filings the rule isn't specific to yoga but to commercial activity, and Hubbard's classes can draw as many as 100 people who give donations for each class ranging from $5 to $40. 'The City's legitimate governmental interests in this case include the preservation, safety, and orderly use of its parks and beaches by all visitors and residents who visit them,' San Diego's attorneys wrote in court papers, adding that the city and county drew 32 million visitors in 2023. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon to discuss the details of the appellate ruling, which calls for the ordinance to be put on hold for the instructors while their case is pending. The San Diego city attorney's office declined to immediately comment on the case and said in a statement it is evaluating the ruling. Hubbard said he was cited at least ten times since the ordinance took effect for classes that he said are free since payment isn't required and anyone can attend. He said he has not yet gone to court on the citations. Rather, outdoor yoga is a service to those who are disabled or can't afford yoga classes elsewhere, said Bryan Pease, an attorney for the two instructors. 'It is a popular thing here. We're a beach community, and it's a way for people to access yoga that they wouldn't otherwise be able to,' Pease said. Due to the ordinance, Pease said his clients began streaming classes from his backyard, which is across the street from the beachfront location. His students continued to gather to follow him online, and Pease said Hubbard was cited by a park official for running classes in the park even though he wasn't there. At the Pacific Beach park, yoga student John Noack said he previously tried studio classes but didn't like them and relishes the exercise he gets from practicing outside with an ocean breeze. Noack, who has attended Hubbard's classes for four years, said he thinks the group was targeted because wealthy homeowners in the area didn't want so many people in their oceanfront views. 'I personally see this as a triumph of community over a handful of elites,' Noack said. ___ Taxin reported from Santa Ana, Calif.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Yoga classes return to San Diego beachfront park after appeals court deems them 'protected speech'
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Steve Hubbard was back teaching yoga in a San Diego beachfront park on Thursday, the day after a federal appeals court ruled against the California city's ban on his classes in shoreline parks and beaches. 'We're all happy to be back,' Hubbard, who is known as 'NamaSteve,' said as at least a dozen mat-toting enthusiasts wrapped up class beneath towering palm trees with a view of waves crashing onto Pacific Beach. The decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals came after Hubbard and another instructor sued over a 2024 law that barred yoga classes in shoreline parks and beaches in San Diego for at least four or more people — a move local officials said was aimed at a range of activities to ensure that public spaces are truly available to all members of the public. The panel found the ordinance violated the instructors' rights and that teaching yoga is 'protected speech.' San Diego is known for its picturesque beaches and bountiful sunshine and visitors flock to the city to surf, swim and spot sea lions— especially during the peak summer season. City attorneys wrote in court filings the rule isn't specific to yoga but to commercial activity, and Hubbard's classes can draw as many as 100 people who give donations for each class ranging from $5 to $40. 'The City's legitimate governmental interests in this case include the preservation, safety, and orderly use of its parks and beaches by all visitors and residents who visit them,' San Diego's attorneys wrote in court papers, adding that the city and county drew 32 million visitors in 2023. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon to discuss the details of the appellate ruling, which calls for the ordinance to be put on hold for the instructors while their case is pending. The San Diego city attorney's office declined to immediately comment on the case and said in a statement it is evaluating the ruling. Hubbard said he was cited at least ten times since the ordinance took effect for classes that he said are free since payment isn't required and anyone can attend. He said he has not yet gone to court on the citations. Rather, outdoor yoga is a service to those who are disabled or can't afford yoga classes elsewhere, said Bryan Pease, an attorney for the two instructors. 'It is a popular thing here. We're a beach community, and it's a way for people to access yoga that they wouldn't otherwise be able to,' Pease said. Due to the ordinance, Pease said his clients began streaming classes from his backyard, which is across the street from the beachfront location. His students continued to gather to follow him online, and Pease said Hubbard was cited by a park official for running classes in the park even though he wasn't there. At the Pacific Beach park, yoga student John Noack said he previously tried studio classes but didn't like them and relishes the exercise he gets from practicing outside with an ocean breeze. Noack, who has attended Hubbard's classes for four years, said he thinks the group was targeted because wealthy homeowners in the area didn't want so many people in their oceanfront views. 'I personally see this as a triumph of community over a handful of elites,' Noack said. ___ Taxin reported from Santa Ana, Calif.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Suspected DUI driver arrested after six-car crash in Pacific Beach
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A driver is facing DUI charges following a collision late Friday night in Pacific Beach involving multiple vehicles. San Diego Police responded to a six-vehicle crash on Garnet Avenue near the intersection with Everts Street after 11 p.m. Friday. Pedestrian hit, killed in Midway District: SDPD Officers arrested the driver of one of the vehicles on suspicion of DUI. Police did say some of the occupants in were minorly injured. No other details were immediately available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
