Atlanta Council Wants Free Speech Zones to RESTRICT Public Protests

[babylonsister]

http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0170.html

Atlanta Council Wants Free Speech Zones to Restrict Public Protests

By Jonathan Springston and Matthew Cardinale, Atlanta Progressive News (June 07, 2007)


(APN) ATLANTA –"We might as well spit on the graves of Dr. King and Mrs. King if we allow the right of the citizens to assemble to be curtailed!" Rev. Timothy MacDonald, of the First Iconium Baptist Church, said, as about 50 protesters gathered in front of Atlanta City Hall for a press conference today at 1pm.

Atlanta City Council Member Jim Maddox has proposed an explosive bill which would establish procedures for a "Free Speech Zone" (FSZ), for any Assembly or Outdoor Festival in Atlanta public space where counter-protesters are expected.

"Lawyers could have told this law is unconstitutional," Gerry Weber, Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia, said in his remarks. "This law is riddled with so many problems, it’s really a Law Professor’s exam."

Who is a counterprotester? Event Organizers get to decide. "This decision may be based upon any reason," reads Section H of the bill, for a proposed new section, 142-43, of the Atlanta Code of Ordinances.

The City would empower Event Organizers to redirect citizens wishing to exercise their First Amendment rights to the FSZ, with the police there to back them up under threat of arrest, according to Sections G, H, I, and J.

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[hobbit709]

1. Jim Maddox?

Wonder if he's any relation to old Lester? Sounds like him.

[deadmessengers]

3. Don't think so

Maddox is a pretty common surname in the South. I remember going to a local Democratic party meeting and hearing a couple of old timers joke that Jim Maddox has fallen all over himself for years making sure that no one thinks he's related to Lester.

[HereSince1628]

2. When a Federal administrations goe's rogue it's damage spreads everywhere

This is a direct consequence of no real challenge to the Cheney administration's bull-in-the-china-shop behavior. We, the shop owners, are rightfully VERY unhappy with the "professionals" we left in charge to keep an eye on things.

Time for serious changes in everyones' behavior.

[B3Nut]

4. Got news for ya Jimmy boy:

The entire United States is a free speech zone, regardless of Der Chimpenfuehrer's psychotic delusions to the contrary.

Fuck off, asshat.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan