All
Great discussions. We recently had several different groups in Washington D.C. and we briefed our staff on the following when came to inappropriate behavior in Museums, especially memorials. In Museum Services we have the Removal Policy and responsible for removing any visitor or group that is misbehaving or causing a disturbance in our Museum. We use the soft approach and then we contact Security Operations if the visitor and/or group do not comply with our directions. I have attached our removal policy and Group Etiquette at Memorials and included below information and code for inappropriate t-shirts etc. Dana
Information regarding the wearing of masks or face paint
The District of Columbia has laws governing the wearing of hoods or masks (see page 2). In regards to this DC law, the Museum's General Counsel has stated that face paint, worn in a manner that thoroughly conceals one's identity, would qualify as a "device", as per DC Code 22-3312.03.The face paint would, however, need to go well beyond regular makeup usage. The face paint would need to be such that it obscures any reasonable possibility of identifying the person.
Obscuring identity is not sufficient on its own. We would also need to allege one of the qualifying factors in the DC Code regulation, such as: (b) (4) "With the intent to cause another person to fear for his or her personal safety, or, where it is probable that reasonable person will be put in fear for their personal safety by the defendant's actions, with reckless disregard for that probability;"
In our venue especially, it could be reasonable that a person may be put in fear for their personal safety due to the extreme nature of some of the clown makeup designs this group uses. However, visitor testimony or corroboration of this fact may be needed, making it difficult to prosecute (please see response section on page
Museum Member Response:
If a visitor or group wearing face paint should attempt to enter the Museum, and if they are acting civilly and of good demeanor, wait patiently in line to get in, etc., their entry may be permitted under the following conditions. Group size should be limited. If their numbers are small and they do not appear to be interested in drawing attention to their cause while inside the Museum, we can permit them to enter and then reevaluate should conditions change or if we receive visitor complaints. Notify Bob Claus if this occurs.
Mask wearers, either as a member of a group or with any other group, should not be permitted to enter the Museum while wearing a mask. If they are interested in entering and touring, they must remove the mask and store it in a bag/knapsack or be permitted to check the item in the coatroom. If they comply, they should be advised that they are not to wear the mask at any time while in the Museum or they will be asked to leave. Anyone donning a mask while in the Museum should first be asked to remove the mask. If they refuse they should be directed to leave. Visitor Services personnel will handle all initial requests to leave the premises.
If a mask wearer claims a religious need, notify and request the presence of a Visitor Service supervisor. If the garb is not of the type usually associated with one of the regularly recognized religions, then their option will be to leave, or to remove the garb.
Please note, The Museum's subject matter and the visitors who come to learn and remember takes all precedence over individuals wanting to wear a hood or mask as part of a demonstration.
The below DC Code regulation can be sited when denying or expelling someone from the premises.
22–3312.03. Wearing hoods or masks.
(a) No person or persons over 16 years of age, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, shall:
(1) Enter upon, be, or appear upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road highway, or other public way in the District of Columbia;
(2) Enter upon, be, or appear upon or within the public property of the District of Columbia; or
(3) Hold any manner of meeting or demonstration.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section apply only if the person was wearing the hood, mask, or other device:
(1) With the intent to deprive any person or class of persons of equal protection of the law or of equal privileges and immunities under the law, or for the purpose of preventing or hindering the constituted authorities of the United States or the District of Columbia from giving or securing for all persons within the District of Columbia equal protection of the law;
(2) With the intent, by force or threat of force, to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because of his or her exercise of any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws, or to intimidate any person or any class of persons from exercising any right secured by federal or District of Columbia laws;
(3) With the intent to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person;
(4) With the intent to cause another person to fear for his or her personal safety, or, where it is probable that reasonable persons will be put in fear for their personal safety by the defendant's actions, with reckless disregard for that probability; or
(5) While engaged in conduct prohibited by civil or criminal law, with the intent of avoiding identification.
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Dana Carroll
Director of Museum Services
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-26-2017 08:03 AM
From: Bruce Falk
Subject: Examples of policy about adults in costume at events?
The Museum of Science Fiction did this recently for its annual Escape Velocity convention, surveying various con policies in the process. You can find (and feel free to adapt or plagiarize) our policy at Terms and Conditions
| Escapevelocity |
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| Terms and Conditions |
| Escape Velocity has a strict zero-tolerance policy on harassment. Comments, language or behavior that create a hostile environment - those reasonably expected to make our guests, volunteers, or staff members feel uncomfortable, unwanted, and/or unsafe, including without limitation aggressive behavior, sexual advances or comments, abusive or derogatory language, discrimination, and verbal or physical assault - will be met with strict disciplinary action, including removal from the convention. |
| View this on Escapevelocity > |
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Good luck!
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Bruce Falk
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Museum of Science Fiction
Washington DC
Original Message:
Sent: 09-25-2017 08:33 AM
From: Claire Aldenhuysen
Subject: Examples of policy about adults in costume at events?
Hi Elizabeth!
I'd recommend looking into costume policies set forth by large scale comic book conventions, such as San Diego Comic Con. Here's their code of conduct: https://www.comic-con.org/cci/convention-policies
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Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Educator
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN
Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2017 12:14 PM
From: Elizabeth Peters
Subject: Examples of policy about adults in costume at events?
Do any of your institutions put on family events where many adults and children wear costumes, and if so, do you have any guidelines/prohibitions? We have our annual Ghouls & Gourds Halloween event next month, and our security team has broached questions about admitting adults in first-responder costumes, realistic-looking toy weapons, inappropriate costumes, etc. We would love some examples of peers who have addressed these kinds of situations.
Thanks!
eliz
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Elizabeth Peters
Director of Digital
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
bbg.org