Soglin says protesters can march on State Street without paying for police services

[midnight]

Reifeis said she believes the new policy is a way to discourage organizations from having street marches, noting that many political organizations may not be able to afford the police bill.

Added Olson: "A simple march down a street is about the only thing a person with no means can do to express his political views."

Olson said case law is "not entirely clear" on when and how much police can charge people expressing their First Amendment rights.

If people were denied a permit because of their unwillingness to pay for police, and then arrested or cited for marching without a permit, Olson said, "I would certainly look very hard to whether we could make a case of violation of their constitutional rights."



Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/soglin-says-protesters-can-march-on-state-street-without-paying/article_8990738e-0e92-11e2-ab61-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz28xdla7rD


Another story about this topic...
http://www.forwardlookout.com/2012/10/madison-police-cracking-down-on-free-speech/16189

[Bjorn Against]

1. State Street is more or less a pedestrian street as it is

The police should not even need to escort marches on State Street, there is very little vehicle traffic as it is. Charging for a permit to march on what is already more or less a pedestrian street with minimal traffic is ridiculous.

[midnight]

2. I wonder if the attorney in this article will find out why,when and how much the police can charge..

Right now it appears they will do it without any oversight. Maybe this attorney can see what can be done?