Speech Protesters Granted Spot: Capitol Area Allowed for State of Union

[Marleyb]

Organizers of a planned protest during President Bush's State of the Union address next week reached an agreement yesterday with law enforcement officials and will now be allowed to use the area around the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool for their demonstration.

"The Capitol Police reassessed its security concerns regarding the area around the Capitol Reflecting Pool and withdrew its request to the U.S. Park Service to close that area during President Bush's State of the Union address," said Channing Phillips, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, which participated in discussions to settle the dispute.

Phillips said the nearby grassy areas on the Capitol grounds are fenced off because of turf renovation. But he said the amended permit, which will be issued by the National Park Service, will be sufficient for the group's needs.

James R. Klimaski, an attorney for the demonstrators, said the lawsuit will be withdrawn as soon as the group receives the amended permit....
"A protest not seen and a protest not heard is not a protest," said Travis Morales, one of the organizers of the demonstration, who accused the Bush administration of trying to keep demonstrators far from the Capitol. He said yesterday that the Reflecting Pool area "will hold thousands more people" than the gravel walkways.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012601981.html

[EFerrari]

1. Good work!

:kick:

[Lindacooks]

2. 'Turf renovation'??? Shades of NYC and Central Park.

What is it with these Repukes? They value grass shoots over freedom of speech. Hell, they value Kleenex over freedome of speech.

[Bellamia]

3. Great!!!!!!

Way to go, World Can't Wait! Kudos!

[Glimmer of Hope]

4. This is great news! I hope there is a big turnout.