Man in Klan robe prompts L.A. council to walk out, weigh limitation on public comments
3:43 PM | July 15, 2009
Los Angeles City Council chambers went dark early today after an African American man wearing the distinctive white robe and hood of the Ku Klux Klan tested the limits of his 1st Amendment rights — and council members' patience — by refusing to remove his hood while addressing the council.
It was at least the second day that Michael Hunt, who recently challenged the city’s vending ordinance in federal court as a violation of his rights, had worn the outfit to the meeting, leading council members to seek advice from the city attorney about their legal options.
Hunt submitted a card to speak during the standard public comment period and was called to the microphone by Councilman Dennis Zine, who was presiding officer.
“Mr. Hunt, you’re going to have to remove your hood,” Zine told Hunt twice. “Are you refusing to remove your hood? ... Mr. Hunt, we can’t hear you. Remove your hood.”
“No, this is part of my 1st Amendment privileges,” Hunt replied. Zine turned to the lawyer who sits on the dais to advise members during meetings.
“His getup that he’s wearing arguably has some 1st Amendment protection as symbolic speech, as distasteful and misguided as it is,” Deputy City Atty. Dion O'Connell said. “However, it’s not an issue of anonymous speech because he’s taken his hood on and off throughout the meeting. If his wearing that causes a disruption, then he could be told to remove it.”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/07/la-council-adjourns-rather-than-hear-from-man-in-kkk-robe-may-seek-tighter-limits-on-speakers.html
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