MORE ARTICLES FROM ‘Assembly’
Mich. governor signs bills to clarify funeral-protest law
New measures prohibit conduct, statements or gestures that would make a ‘reasonable person’ attending a funeral or memorial service feel intimidated or threatened.
Chicago asked not to stifle wireless at G-8, NATO
City councilman wants to bar the police department from pulling the plug on electronic communication during the upcoming summits — a tactic officials say they don’t intend to use.
Chicago to pay $6.2 million to settle suit over 2003 protest
Deal reached in class action that had accused police of unlawfully arresting more than 700 people during an Iraq war demonstration.
Police clear tents from D.C. Occupy site
Eleven arrested, officer hit with brick as U.S. Park Police enforce regulations allowing round-the-clock protest but no camping.
Court rules against Occupy Maine encampment
Portland officials say they’ll give protesters 48 hours to vacate after a judge finds that allowing them to occupy a city park for an extended period would conflict with others’ right to use it.
Occupy Oakland protests turn violent
Three police officers, one protester injured in exchanges of rocks and bottles with tear-gas canisters; City Hall vandalized, flag burned, 400 arrested.
Federal judge denies effort to block abortion protester
Justice Department had sought to keep Kenneth Scott from being able to stop cars and talk to drivers as they enter Denver’s Planned Parenthood center.
Idaho House votes to boot Occupy Boise from state grounds
One opponent of bill to bar camping on public land near Capitol had urged fellow lawmakers to consider free speech; measure now heads to Senate.
Federal judge rules against NYC court-protest organizers
Meanwhile, protesters plan to ‘occupy’ courthouses in more than 100 cities across the U.S. today to protest the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC.
8th Circuit: Police acted reasonably during GOP convention protest
Three-judge panel upholds dismissal of lawsuit by 32 people who claimed their constitutional rights were violated when they were arrested during a 2008 demonstration in St. Paul.
N.H. can’t muzzle Bigfoot, state high court rules
Unanimous ruling in Mount Monadnock case finds language of regulation governing special events at parks is overbroad.
Chicago grants 1st parade permit ahead of G-8, NATO
City officials, who are preparing for May summits, also seek to quell critics’ concerns that proposed changes to city laws will step on demonstrators’ First Amendment rights.
Time to ‘occupy’ our history books
Although the recent anti-Wall Street demonstrations may appear novel, a look back at time reveals that occupation as a form of protest isn’t new.
Idaho high court upholds gang-recruiting law
Simona Lisa Manzanares challenged part of anti-gang measure on grounds that it unconstitutionally restricted freedom of association, but failed to sway a majority of justices.
THE EXPERTS
Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer/First Amendment Center. Previously, Paulson served as editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today and USATODAY.com.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is a scholar at the First Amendment Center. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
Assembly Commentary • Inside the First Amendment | Gene Policinski
Planning can prevent violations of free assembly at political conventions
Balancing First Amendment assembly rights with public safety, security is an achievable goal for cities hosting this year’s political conventions.