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Bozita

(26,955 posts)
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 08:14 PM Apr 2012

Terry Jones sues Dearborn, accuses of violating free speech

Source: Detroit Free Press

Terry Jones sues Dearborn, accuses of violating free speech
7:22 PM, April 2, 2012
By Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer


Quran-burning pastor Terry Jones filed a lawsuit today against Dearborn, alleging the city is violating his constitutional right to free speech by asking him to sign a legal agreement ahead of a rally he’s planned for this Saturday outside of a Dearborn mosque.

The lawsuit was filed in Detroit by the Thomas More Law Center, a conservative Christian group based in Ann Arbor. The civil suit says that the city of Dearborn wants Jones to sign a “hold harmless” agreement before a planned rally outside the Islamic Center of America. The agreement would require the Christian pastor from Florida to forfeit all legal rights stemming from anything that might happen at the rally, the lawsuit said.

Signing such an agreement would require Jones to purchase insurance, which would be too expensive for him and thus violate his constitutional right to free speech, the suit said. A Dearborn police officer sent Jones’ assistant a letter last week saying that unless Jones and his group sign the “hold harmless” agreement, he “cannot speak” outside the Islamic Center.

The city of Dearborn did not immediately comment Monday on the lawsuit. In the past, the city has required others to sign “hold harmless” agreements for public events.


Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20120402/NEWS02/120402077/Terry-Jones-sues-Dearborn-accuses-of-violating-free-speech-Quran-Islam?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE



The Thomas More Law Center is a fully-funded creation of Tom Monaghan.

Yup, THAT Tom Monaghan!
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Terry Jones sues Dearborn, accuses of violating free speech (Original Post) Bozita Apr 2012 OP
Stupid idiot. truthisfreedom Apr 2012 #1
If a hold harmless agreement is required for a permit Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #2
Everyone knows that Dearborn hs the largest Arab population in the US notadmblnd Apr 2012 #3
Dearborn is under no obligation guitar man Apr 2012 #4
If not protected, sue for damages. Or sue for too much protection. Festivito Apr 2012 #5
Thats what a 'hold harmless' prevents. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #6
Captain Gluehuff Strikes out Again... Grassy Knoll Apr 2012 #7
The 1st Amendment says he has a right to speak. baldguy Apr 2012 #8
I thought this post was going to be about Monty Python. OrwellwasRight Apr 2012 #9
Let him learn the hard way that words have consequences auburngrad82 Apr 2012 #10

truthisfreedom

(23,149 posts)
1. Stupid idiot.
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 08:18 PM
Apr 2012

Conflict-creating with absolutely no hope of accomplishing anything positive, other than burn a few calories standing around making everyone else stressed-out and angry.

notadmblnd

(23,720 posts)
3. Everyone knows that Dearborn hs the largest Arab population in the US
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 08:23 PM
Apr 2012

He only going there to stir the shit pot. If he wants to stir that pot, he should be willing to accept responsibility for what he causes to happen if that pot boils over.

Festivito

(13,452 posts)
5. If not protected, sue for damages. Or sue for too much protection.
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 08:51 PM
Apr 2012

Either way, the instigator wins.

The real problem is that after all these years we don't have decent ways for people discuss issues in open forums.

Ruby the Liberal

(26,219 posts)
6. Thats what a 'hold harmless' prevents.
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 08:57 PM
Apr 2012

It says the individual can't sue if things go south, or "holds the city harmless" for things out of their sphere of control.

In addition, it may even say that "you are on your own" without police protection provided. Depending on how it is worded.

 

baldguy

(36,649 posts)
8. The 1st Amendment says he has a right to speak.
Mon Apr 2, 2012, 09:33 PM
Apr 2012

It does not say he has a right to avoid responsibility for the effects of that speech.

auburngrad82

(5,029 posts)
10. Let him learn the hard way that words have consequences
Tue Apr 3, 2012, 01:14 PM
Apr 2012

If he can't afford insurance and the city isn't going to cover him then he's on his own.

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