The Mauldin Police Department is aware of a planned protest on the Mauldin GateWay Bridge this Sunday, May 10. Because we have not received any direct communication about this protest and no permit or application for this protest has been filed, we wanted to provide information about the rules regarding protests to ensure a safe and orderly experience for everyone.
Per our code of ordinances, groups of 20 or more individuals in a planned or organized group are required to obtain a permit if they’re intending to use any public trail, public bridge or public property for demonstration purposes.
That means any protest involving 20 or more people on the Mauldin GateWay Bridge this Sunday would require a permit. The link to that permit application is here: https://cityofmauldin.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GateWay-Bridge-Final-Application-v2-Final.pdf
RULES REGARDING SIGNAGE AND DEMONSTRATION
We also have rules regarding signage and demonstrations that we want to ensure people are aware of:
- Signs larger than 4 square feet are prohibited on the bridge and may not be projected towards traveling motorists below.
- Affixing, leaning or placing signs in a way that could damage the safety barrier is prohibited.
- No person is allowed to engage in any demonstration or expressive conduct on a public trail that blocks or impedes the free passage of other users.
- Demonstrators must leave a minimum of five feet of unobstructed width on any public trail to allow for the safe passage of other users, including those on bicycles, wheelchairs or with strollers.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in a warning or citation.
INFORMATION ON CITATIONS
To date, we have issued one warning citation for a large banner on the bridge and one verbal warning regarding signage.
Prior to issuing these warnings, our officers had numerous conversations with protesters over the course of several months to educate them about our ordinances related to signs and demonstrations. We are now stepping up enforcement in response to increasing complaints and concerns about public safety. We have specifically received complaints about the following:
- Banners and signs creating a distraction and safety hazard for drivers on 385, including lane departures and near accidents
- Banners and signs containing profanity
- Signs and other items being affixed to the bridge and causing damage to the bridge
- Bridge users feeling unsafe or threatened
While protesting is a fundamental and critical right that we fully support, we also have rules and processes that need to be followed to ensure a safe experience for everyone involved, including traveling motorists on I-385 and people using the bridge for recreational purposes.
Our goal is to ensure that peaceful protesting can continue while also upholding our ordinances and protecting the safety and well-being of the general public. Please help us create a safe environment for all by following the rules related to signage and demonstrations.
Thank you for your cooperation!
To view our ordinances related to public demonstrations, click here: https://library.municode.com/sc/mauldin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH28PAPIDE_ARTVDE&
To view our zoning ordinances related to signage, click here: https://library.municode.com/sc/mauldin/codes/zoning_ordinance?nodeId=ZOOR_ART6DEDEST_S6_4SI&