Christian group sues San Francisco, demands removal of public open-air urinal 'pissoir'
The San Francisco government put up open-air urinal at Dolores Park, and a Christian group has filed a lawsuit demanding that the facility be removed.
In the lawsuit filed against the city, the Chinese Christian Union of San Francisco says that the urinal emits "offensive odors." There are also no handwashing facilities. Furthermore, it discriminates against women and the disabled as it only has plants around it to give it some sense of privacy.
"The basis for the requested relief is that the pissoir violates the law and public policy regarding privacy, sex discrimination, public health, access for persons with disabilities, and the 12 Plumbing Code," says the complaint.
The complaint calls the facility illegal and wasteful expenditure of public funds." It also emphasizes on its danger to public health.
"Allowing public urination at the pissoir is injurious to health. The safety and health of the public at large is endangered by the improper disposal of human waste in a public place," the complaint says.
The urinal, nicknamed "pissoir," was installed in February as part of the renovation plan in Dolores Park. Through the $20 million project, the park has added more than 24 toilets plus other upgrades.
The Office of the City Attorney said that residents showed support for the facility since it keeps people from relieving themselves on sidewalks, walls, and bushes. The park, after all, is famous for its "counter culture, immodest sunbathers, pot brownie vendors, spectacular city views, and famously irreverent 'Hunky Jesus' contest."
In a statement, Matt Dorsey, the City Attorney spokesman, said: "If I had to predict the top 100 things in Dolores Park likely to offend these plaintiffs, I wouldn't have guessed that this would make the cut."
CBS Sacramento said that San Francisco previously had about 30 walls covered with repellant paint that makes the body liquid spray back on the person.
