Wednesday, May 09, 2007

The Silencing of Dissent

My friend and fellow-ette blogger Alabama Moderate reports on a fascinating scene unfolding in Springville/Argo about the annexation of Argo.

Apparently the mayor and city council of Argo have suspended their operating rules and placed new and ornerous restrictions on the RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE. I'd like to remind the mayor and city council that what they have done is in DIRECT VIOLATION of Amendment I in the Bill of rights which reads:

Bill of Rights
Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.


Here is a photo from the Save Argo website that confirms they passed a new rule on the right to protest.


Now, I don't live in Argo or Springville. I don't even think I have ever even been through them.....but, if someone will let me know when they plan to protest I will show up with bell's on. And, if you are from this area and want to protest then here is my advice.

YOU DO NOT NEED A PERMIT TO GATHER IN A PUBLIC PLACE LIKE A PARK, SIDEWALK, RIGHT OF WAY, CITY HALL OR THE COURTHOUSE. READ THE CONSTITUTION. GET YOUR SIGNS AND YOUR ASSES 'IN THE STREET' AND ACT LIKE AMERICANS. I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THAT SOMEONE CONTACT A CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER AND MAYBE EVEN THE ACLU ABOUT THIS NEW ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. THEY TEND TO FROWN UPON SUCH THINGS!!



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Crisis averted. I read the bill last night and discovered that it was legal in that it does absolutely nothing to discourage peaceful demonstrations.

They did however create a wonderful deterrent to church events and legitimate public functions. In fact, their park celebration WOULD fall under the permit requirements while the demonstrators would not! How's THAT for irony (and just a tad of poetic justice)?!

Loretta Nall said...

Poetic justice indeed! It's never a good idea to piss off churches, because their members will organize, take to the streets and get stuff done. I am not religious even in the lightest use of that word, but I do admire them for their willingness to get organized and make things happen. Oh! That the average pot smoker were so inclined!

Keep us posted on what happens when the church applies for a permit. I think I'd film that if I lived there...hehehe

Anonymous said...

"Oh! That the average pot smoker were so inclined!"

I just laughed my a** off at that statement! I don't think I've even laughed so hard in my life! I think you've answered your own question as to the lack of "motivation" from the AVERAGE pot smoker.