Free Speech Gulag: Can the DNC Cage 18 million Pumas?

The Denver Post has announced the plans for the DNC Free Speech Zone for the Denver Convention.

source:  http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_9744092?source=pop_section_news&_requestid=7600054

“The fence around the public demonstration zone outside the Democratic National Convention will be chicken wire or chain link, authorities revealed in U.S. District Court today.  That may allow protesters to be seen and heard by delegates going in and out of the Pepsi Center during the convention.

But the American Civil Liberties Union and several advocacy groups have filed an amended complaint to their lawsuit against the U.S. Secret Service and the city and county of Denver that says protesters and demonstrators may have their First Amendment rights violated by security restrictions.

The ACLU has said it wants to avoid the conditions that existed during the 2004 convention in Boston, where protesters were caged, infuriating First Amendment advocates.

The first phase of the lawsuit asked the court to compel the city and the Secret Service to disclose the information on protest restrictions.

During today’s hearing before Judge Marcia S. Krieger, the attorney for the groups, Steve Zansberg, said the city and the Secret Service had provided the information sought in Phase One.

The second phase of the lawsuit will address whether the restrictions are unconstitutional. Zansberg also represents The Denver Post on First Amendment issues, though the paper is not a party in this dispute.

The groups agreed to go to trial on those issues on July 29 and the judge will visit the site the night before to assess the restrictions.

Guess Pumas and folks that are planning to March on the DNC better be prepared to be caged.  Of course, I’m not sure how well Pumas do in cages.  Hopefully, this court challenge will stop further erosion of first amendment rights.   According to another article in the Post,  these are some changes being requested by the ACLU and 13 other groups.

An increase in the size and location of the public demonstration zone in Lot A of the Pepsi Center so that people in the zone can access delegates through sight and sound and an electrically-powered sound amplification system.

Change the parameters of the zone to accommodate more people marching to the Pepsi Center during the convention.

Stop searches of people or possessions where such searches are based on a person’s entry into the zone rather than “probable cause” or “reasonable suspicion.”

Allow for the distribution of leaflets and pamphlets to the delgates.

Allow for parades that pass by the Pepsi Center along the south side of Chopper Circle and the adjoining east side of Ninth Street during times when the delegates are present.

Allow alternative parades requested by Recreate 68 to the federal courthouse on Aug. 25 and by Escuela Tlatelolco to Sunken Gardens Park on Aug. 26.

Right now, protesters will be kept in an area where they will not be able to leaflet convention attendees.  They will not be allowed to parade when conventioneers are entering or leaving the Pepsi Convent Center.   They will at least be seen.  However, this effectively blocks any access protesters will have to their supposedly democratically elected representatives.

So much for Free Speech.

Happy Independence Day!