Occupy Fresno Files Lawsuit in Federal Court

[Le Taz Hot]

November 15th, 2011

Occupy Fresno

Press Release

Today, Occupy Fresno filed a lawsuit in the federal court challenging the violations of civil liberties and First Amendment rights by Fresno County. The members of Occupy Fresno have chosen Courthouse Park, a public space maintained by taxpayer monies, as the venue in which to peaceably assemble and petition our government for a redress of grievances. This right is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Included in the lawsuit filed today by Occupy Fresno is an application for a temporary restraining order against Fresno County, prohibiting them from further unlawful enforcement of its permit system regarding the use of Courthouse Park.

In the application and enforcement of local ordinances pertaining to Courthouse Park, Fresno County has consistently denied the citizens of Fresno and Fresno County wishing to join in the Occupy movement the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights. The ferocity with which Fresno County has enforced the ordinances pertaining to Courthouse Park is unacceptable. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Department has arrested members of Occupy Fresno, and others wishing to stand up for their First Amendment rights, every day since November 6, 2011. In addition, they have consistently squandered taxpayer monies by maintaining a twenty-four hour presence in Courthouse Park since this date. The members of Occupy Fresno are, have been, and shall remain peaceful in our actions. However, as citizens of these United States, under the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Occupy Fresno will maintain our presence in Courthouse Park; we are not leaving. Through acts of Civil disobedience we will continue to resist the illegal enforcement of unjust laws against our liberties and our persons.

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http://occupyfresnoca.com/