Protesters Call OAS Security Measures 'Draconian'

[struggle4progress]

Officials Say They Are Trying to Insure Peaceful Gathering

POSTED: 4:06 pm EDT June 3, 2005
UPDATED: 5:03 pm EDT June 3, 2005

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Protesters are arguing that some of the protections for the three-day Organization of American States General Assembly starting Sunday in Fort Lauderdale are "draconian" restrictions on their First Amendment rights and will keep them far from the event.

"Convening diplomats will be able to talk about democracy, but they won't get to see it practiced," said Carol Sobel, an attorney for activist groups suing over security efforts. <snip>

The ACLU sued Fort Lauderdale and Broward County on behalf of six grassroots groups representing retirees, environmentalists, Haitian solidarity and Global Justice -- each with their own beefs to air at OAS. <snip>

Moore ruled that the city can keep protesters and OAS dignitaries apart -- but may not ban the protesters use of large banners and sticks and poles to support them. <snip>

http://www.local10.com/news/4566888/detail.html

[struggle4progress]

1. Judge strikes down Lauderdale law, gives protesters some leeway

By AMY SHERMAN

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A federal judge on Thursday stopped the city of Fort Lauderdale from enforcing a law it passed last month to limit what objects people could bring to protests.

The ordinance was passed on the eve of the Organization of American States conference which begins Sunday and continues through Tuesday. City officials said they wanted to prohibit demonstrators from carrying potentially violent objects such as thick wooden sticks, bicycle locks and water balloons.

Political activists said the city was trying to limit their ability to protest in a visible way. For example, the city's new rule would prevent them from holding large banners, which need now-forbidden thick sticks for support.

'I think it is huge victory for protesters' rights,'' said Zeina Salam, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union. 'It sends a message to cities you cannot pass these sort of ordinances that limit peoples' ability for freedom of expression.'' <snip>

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/11808753.htm