the state of Georgia is walking backwards into the future (limits protest)

[donsu]

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040418/D821BOEO0.html

Georgia Passes Laws Limiting Protests

Robert Randall never knew free speech could cost so much - in dollars and in compromises - until he tried to organize a large-scale, peaceful demonstration for this summer's G-8 summit.

The coastal city of Brunswick, where Randall hopes to gather up to 10,000 people to protest the world leaders' summit, passed a law last month that places conditions on public demonstrations.

Organizers of protests like Randall's "G-8 Carnival" must put up refundable deposits equal to the city's estimated cost for clean up and police protection. Demonstrations may only last 2 hours, 30 minutes. Signs and banners may not be carried on sticks that might be brandished as weapons. And the signs may not be larger than 2-by-3 feet.

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Brunswick, Savannah and surrounding counties have passed ordinances governing protest permits. The American Civil Liberties Union has threatened to sue, saying the laws "place impermissible limits on free speech."

-snip-

Miami banned props such as water pistols, balloons and sticks before demonstrators arrived for a global trade summit in November. The city repealed the law last month in the face of lawsuits.

On Thursday, federal appeals court judges ruled that an Augusta, Ga., ordinance violated the rights of a women's group that sought to protest outside the all-male Augusta National Golf Club during the 2003 Masters golf tournament.
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what a state

[arcane1]

1. G-8 summits sure do bring out the tyrants, don't they

:shrug:

[wtmusic]

2. Will never hold up n/t

[jobendorfer]

3. how about requiring the police to post a bond for good behavior?

Perhaps the law should be amended to require the police
to post a bond against damage caused by their hysterical
over-reactions to middle-aged hippies, schoolteachers, and
unarmed students gathering to protest.

J.