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04/13/2025
Indivisible Helena asks city to change event-permitting requirements
A volunteer group in Helena is asking the city to change its event-permitting requirements, arguing that they infringe on its constitutional rights.
Indivisible Helena is one of the local chapters of Indivisible National, a nationwide coalition focused on democracy and stopping the “rise of authoritarianism.” Indivisible Helena also helps organize the local “No Kings” rallies, but members say they encountered challenges when they approached the city to host the gathering.
The city of Helena requires event organizers to obtain insurance for gatherings and, if those gatherings are anticipated to have more than 1,000 people, to submit a permit application at least 90 days in advance. Those mandates have created barriers for Indivisible Helena when the group was eyeing Memorial Park for a rally last October, which members believe violates their rights to free speech and assembly.
“We contacted nearly 20 insurance companies … and none of them would even respond or were willing to even consider issuing coverage to us,” Indivisible Helena volunteer Claudia Clifford told Montana Free Press. “ So essentially we were caught in a situation where we can’t use the city’s public property.”
Clifford added that the “No Kings” protests have consistently attracted more than 1,000 participants, and since the rallies coincide with a national movement, local chapters are given less than 60 days’ notice of the next rally.
To address its concerns, Indivisible Helena sent the city commission a letter earlier this month requesting that they amend the city code to include an insurance exemption for events that are “an exercise of political or religious rights.” The requested exemption was based on the city of Missoula’s event guidelines.
The letter goes on to say that the application can’t be denied if the event is “in response to political and public controversies.”
Helena attorney David K.W. Wilson Jr. also submitted a letter to the city on the issue, supporting the organization’s stance on permitting requirements.
“It is my opinion that the City of Helena acted to unconstitutionally restrain protected political assembly and speech when it imposed an insurmountable barrier to the request of Indivisible Helena to hold a rally at a particular public venue,” Wilson’s letter stated.
During a meeting April 6, Commissioner Melinda Reed inquired about how the city would respond. Mayor Emily Dean said that both she and the city attorney met with group members about their letter before the meeting and that the attorney is reviewing the recommendations.
5 Things to Know in Helena
City Manager Alana Lake updated the city commission on the progress of the third fire station during a meeting last week. Lake said that the station, 1872 Kelleher Lane, has all the necessary permits in place, the foundation footing has been installed and the deed has been filed. Lake said the next steps include acquiring a fire training tower and purchasing equipment. Construction is expected to wrap up next spring.
Last Thursday, Forest Service workers burned 330 acres near Grizzly Gulch outside of Helena to reduce wildfire fuel and mitigate risks. The burns left the Helena Valley with a layer of smoke. A spokesperson with Lewis and Clark Public Health told MTFP that while the smoke looked and smelled bad, the air quality was actually in the moderate range. Residents can check on the current air quality on the county’s website. LCPH also published a Q&A on wildfire smoke here.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen officially responded to the city’s letter seeking coordination on a revised immigration policy, following the commission’s rescission of its original resolution last month. In his response, Knudsen stated that, since the original resolution has been rescinded, his investigation has been closed. He added that he appreciates the city’s offer to work together on a revised version, but said immigration matters have already been set in state law.
“So let me take this opportunity to disabuse the City (and other localities) of the notion that compliance with Montana’s anti-sanctuary city law is a collaborative enterprise,” Knudsen stated. “The Legislature was clear when it enacted Mont. Code Ann. § 2-1-602: local governments don’t get to set their own immigration policies.”
The East Helena School District investigated a bomb threat last Thursday at East Valley Middle School after a student told a friend that a bomb was hidden in the school, according to KTVH. District officials later announced that there was no threat.
A new affordable housing apartment complex could be breaking ground next year, according to an IR article. The project will feature 150 rent-controlled apartments located at 2388 Shorthorn Ave., near Costco. Before any construction work can begin, the project will need to go through the city’s permitting process.
In Case You Missed It
Last Wednesday, I reported on a potential Amazon warehouse that could be coming to Helena. After hearing from the city’s public information officer about the timeline and process, it’s still too early to tell when, or if, groundbreaking will happen. The project will need to go through several steps that include zoning and annexation before applying for a conditional use permit. In other words, it may take a while for the project to become a reality. Read the full story here.
Public Notice
The city will close a portion of Broadway Street east of Colonial Drive for milling and paving work. The closure will occur on Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. On-street parking is not permitted in the area. The street work will be dependent on the weather.
The Lewis and Clark Heritage Council is asking the public to participate in a survey about area historic buildings to guide the City-County Historic Preservation Program on future improvements. Residents can take the survey on the county website, which will be open until June 30.
Glad You Asked
Helena This Week reader Mike Newhouse reached out asking about the status of two city projects: the downtown, or mini-malfunction junction, intersection replacement and the West Custer Avenue expansion.
City transportation services director David Knoepke answered our inquiries about the projects and said that his team will bring the downtown intersection back to the city commission in the coming months for their consideration of a final alternative. Previously, the commission debated whether a roundabout should replace the intersection or whether keeping it as an all-way stop with pedestrian safety improvements would be a better option. This summer would mark two years since the traffic lights failed.
Additionally, Knoepke said the city is continuing to work with the Montana Department of Transportation to secure funding to complete the West Custer Avenue project design and construction. He said that MDT is finalizing the feasibility portion of the project.
Might Be Fun
Trio band Biribá Union will be at the Myrna Loy Thursday, April 16, featuring music genres that span hip-hop, Brazilian forró and choro and go-go music. The band includes rapper Christylez Bacon, bassist Patricia Ligia and Grammy-winning cellist Mike Block. The show will be from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and tickets are $26 an can be purchased on Myna Loy’s website.
