Public versus private property

Access is not ownership

A sidewalk owned by a city is not the same as a shopping-mall concourse, an apartment hallway, or a fenced utility yard. “Open to customers” is not the same as a traditional public forum.

Private owners and their agents can often set rules for their property, including asking people to leave. Remaining after a lawful demand to leave can become a trespass issue. This site does not encourage testing that line for content.

Mixed spaces

Transit hubs, hospitals, and government contractors may mix public walkways with licensed private operations. Look for posted notices, fare gates, and employee-only markings. When in doubt, stay outside and document from a clearly public vantage.