Methinks Mr. Mayor is not conversant in his own muni code.
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/cityclerk...11-Traffic.PDF
Specifically:
11.15.300 Cost recovery for unlawful special event.
Whenever a commercial or noncommercial special event is conducted without a special event permit, when one is required, or a special event is conducted in violation of the terms of an issued special event permit, the event organizer shall be responsible for, and the City shall charge the event organizer for, all City costs incurred for personnel and equipment for a public safety response caused or necessitated by the adverse impacts of the special event or the violation of the special event permit upon public safety. (Ord. 27155 § 1; passed Oct. 21, 2003
Note: costs for a legal event are also billed to the event organizer. I have my doubts as to the legality of these protesters.
'Nother Note: City of Tacoma has an elegantly organized site... took me all of a minute or two to find this info.
LL