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Title: Trump Administration Decides Free Speech Isn't Free: Publishes Plans to Tax Protests and Close White House Sidewalk to Protests
Source:
Global Research
URL Source: https://www.globalresearch.ca/trump ... e-sidewalk-to-protests/5653961
Published: Sep 13, 2018
Author: Global Research
Post Date: 2018-09-14 19:42:00 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 12445
Comments: 95
(Global Research) In a major reversal of long-standing federal policy, the Trump Administration has issued a new plan to charge demonstrators for the right to use our public parks, sidewalk, and streets that are on federal land in the nation’s capital for First Amendment activity. Among other areas, this includes the National Mall, Lafayette Park, the Lincoln Memorial and the sidewalk in front of the Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue.
The federal Pay-to-Protest in DC plan includes charging demonstrators for the cost of barricades and fencing erected at the discretion of police; salaries of personnel deployed to monitor the protest; trash removal and sanitation charges; permit application fees and costs that the government will assess on “harm to the turf.”
In addition, the Department of Interior under Ryan Zinke has quietly moved to close the iconic White House sidewalk to protest. The National Park Service’s recent regulatory filing shows plans to close the sidewalk to demonstrations leaving only a narrow pedestrian passageway. The Nixon administration notoriously ordered buses to surround the White House during Vietnam War protests, blocking access to the sidewalk. Now the Trump administration wants to issue a regulatory change to essentially block all protests from the sidewalk permanently.
These plans were contained in a 94-page regulatory proposal that was published in the federal register by the National Park Service, under the Department of the Interior. The public has until October 15, 2018, to register their opposition.
“Never before in history have protestors been required to pay to demonstrate on federal land in the nation’s capital. This is a protest tax on the exercise of First Amendment rights intended to burden and suppress dissent,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, constitutional rights lawyer and executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.
“Free speech is not free if you have to pay for it. The exercise of free speech is a fundamental right and this measure is anti-democratic at its core,” stated Carl Messineo, constitutional rights lawyer and legal director of the PCJF.
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund has launched a legal challenge and grassroots organizing campaign to stop this plan, including a petition in opposition to the plan here.
Click here to read an OpEd by the PCJF’s Mara Verheyden-Hilliard and Carl Messineo in the Washington Post.
The original source of this article is Global Research
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“Never before in history have protestors been required to pay to demonstrate on federal land in the nation’s capital. This is a protest tax on the exercise of First Amendment rights intended to burden and suppress dissent,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, constitutional rights lawyer and executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.
"Never before in history!!!" (Lotta that going around -- not that YOU care about it.)
Chyeah, the nerve.
I guess that means your SJW/BLM/Antifa allies and thugs won't be able to hijack the events of those WITH permits...OR punch out and bait Trump Supporters and Pro-Lifers?
I'm all broken up about this proposal. Will you now contribute to the ACLU/SPLC "GO FUND ME projects??
*sob, sniffle*
#2. To: Liberator (#1)
Always a pleasure to read your jingoistic posts.
It's a shame though that you are unable to grasp the First Amendment infringements this poses.
Funny thing - you'd be howling like a banshee if Obama had done something like this.
#6. To: Deckard, Liberator (#2)
The Trumpkins loved it when the protests were against Obama, but now that they're against Trump, you're an ANTIFA commie!
Closing the streets in front of the WH & other gov facilities is a clear violation of the 1st amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
I recall the LBJ war protests at the WH in '67-'68. Trump has proven that he's a bigger ahole than LBJ!
Contrary to popular sheeple opinion, you don't need no stinking permits to protest.
#53. To: hondo68 (#6)
Closing the streets in front of the WH & other gov facilities is a clear violation of the 1st amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
You mean...AS various Commie-Fascist groups are openly calling for burning down the WH and promising to do-in the Prez? You're not gonna stop being a cartoon character, are you?
I recall the LBJ war protests at the WH in '67-'68. Trump has proven that he's a bigger ahole than LBJ!
Thanks for reinforcing your detachment with reality. (Q: When did you become a Maxine Waters groupie??)
#65. To: Liberator (#53)
AS various Commie-Fascist groups are openly calling for burning down the WH and promising to do-in the Prez?
When attempts to commit actual crimes occur, arrest them. Until then they get to protest and yell things that you don't like. That's what the land of the free and the home of the brave looks like in the real world.
God bless America where we're free to protest the gov, at least in theory.
#70. To: hondo68 (#65)
When attempts to commit actual crimes occur, arrest them.
So you're saying, "Wait for JFK's head to explode and motorcade to be Swiss Cheese before arresting anyone."
Nice plan, Magoo.
#74. To: Liberator (#70)
So you're saying, "Wait for JFK's head to explode and motorcade to be Swiss Cheese before arresting anyone."
If I saw Poppy Bush on the grassy knoll, I'd pop 'em. If you see someone about to pitch a Molotov cocktail at the WH, then it's time to take action. If they're burning candles outside the WH in protest, that's different.
#75. To: hondo68 (#74)
If they're burning candles outside the WH in protest, that's different.
Chyeah. Because Antifa's style is protesting quietly, burning candles and crying peacefully as they create that Snowflake Teddy Bear mound.
You are oblivious to the war being waged by "The Resistance".
How many Republicans HAVE THEY SHOT so far??
#76. To: Liberator, hondo68, deckard (#75)
I see the boards "conservative" democrats are still pretending but keep pushing Hillary's socialism.
Make Hillary lose again !!!!!!! 2020
#83. To: calcon, hondo68, deckard (#76) (Edited)
I see the boards "conservative" democrats are still pretending but keep pushing Hillary's socialism.
(Good to see you, cal.) Hear ya. They are ostensibly DEMS.
(Can you believe this insanity here?? Sabotaging Trump = Supporting the 0bama-Klinton "Divide & Conquer" strategy. Does that inability to see the obvious make Yuklown seem normal? ;-)
Make Hillary lose again !!!!!!! 2020
If its up LF's (D) choir (who of all people *should* know better.) To them, Hitlery, Bigfoot, or whatever Marxist-Commie the Dems and Deep-Swamp run is preferable over Trump.
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