'No-protest zone' sparks suit

[seemslikeadream]

Posted on Sat, May. 21, 2005


OAS CONFERENCE


'No-protest zone' sparks suit

The ACLU and other rights groups filed a suit against Fort Lauderdale, claiming new rules will restrict free speech at an upcoming political gathering. Police say public safety protections won't bar protesters.

BY AMY SHERMAN AND KEVIN DEUTSCH

[e-mail]


As Fort Lauderdale prepares for a massive gathering of international political leaders next month, the city also faces a lawsuit for what critics call an attempt to stifle free speech of potential protesters.

In anticipation of demonstrations at the Organization of American States General Assembly meeting June 5 through 7 at the Broward County Convention Center, city leaders have enacted a one-mile ''no-protest zone'' and other measures. On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed a lawsuit challenging those restrictions.

''The government's mile-wide security perimeter keeps protesters out of sight and out of mind, and essentially sends a message that people's fundamental right to express themselves is no longer tolerated,'' Zeina Salam, Broward ACLU legal panel co-chair, said in a prepared statement.

The suit was filed by the ACLU, the National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Committee and the Southern Legal Counsel on behalf of the Broward Anti-War Coalition, the Broward County Green Party, the Green Party of Florida, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Haiti Solidarity and Lake Worth for Global Justice.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/11701548.htm

[kliljedahl]

1. "dangerous instrumentalities "???

:wtf: is that?


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[cbear70]

2. question

Are no-protest zones new to this administration or have there always been these zones? It seems like this is happening so much more, but maybe someone can set me straight? :eyes:

[cyberpj]

3. I don't believe I've seen them before this admin. nt.

[napi21]

4. I sure never remember hearing aobut any before Shrub!

I'm thinkin' noone else was ever hated like he is!

[bobthedrummer]

5. The 1960's MLK civil rights campaign of non-violence worked best.

Politics is local.
It is our duty as Americans to preserve, protect and defend OUR Constitution-which is US. Not PATRIOT ACT, Homeland Security or Executive Orders from a criminal fascist administration imo.
:patriot: