[MA state] Senator seeks to charge war protesters for costs

The Boston Globe ^ | 4/12/03 | Cynthia Roy

[Gothmog]

Fed up by war protesters clogging streets with their signs and traffic-obstructing tactics, the Republican leader of the state Senate has filed legislation to force them to pay the law enforcement costs of their demonstrations.

Protest groups say such a bill would have a ''chilling effect'' on free speech. But minority leader Brian P. Lees of East Longmeadow said he is ''ticked off'' at protesters and thinks they need to be reined in.

[Gothmog]

"But with a glaring $3 billion budget deficit next fiscal year, some lawmakers say that although they oppose the bill, it must be viewed as a possible source of revenue for the state." -- Warning, never try to get between a Democratic politician and your money.

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[Little Bill]

Have you seen a Mass rat out supporting the troops, their absence is deafening, where is Lynch, where is Hart, where is Tommy the taxman? These rats have people in their districts in Iraq, where is their voice?

[chachacha]

Hoorah for for the tax cut.

These bottom feeders cost the tax payers Millions for cleanup etc. I would expect the same from all those that apply for a permit. Put money up front for clean up and repairs. None of the above you get your money back minus police protection costs.

[randita]

No need for any new laws in handling the protestors. If they block traffic or cause other types of mayhem, they are disturbing the peace. There are already fines for that.

Freedom of speech doesn't mean you are free to do or say anything, irregardless of its effect of other people. There is a limit.

[Naspino]

A $50 fine doesn't equate to paying a police officer 4 hours of overtime to stand, watch, and protect the protester so that no one puts a pipe through their skull. In addition to the $50 fine the protesters need to pay any overtime associated with their protection.

[JoJo Gunn]

''The cost of the freedom of speech is priceless,'' said Jennifer Horan, of the group United for Justice With Peace. ''The roads are public space that our tax dollars pay for, and we have the right to protest this invasion of Iraq.''

Not on MY dollar, you Communist moron!

[WellsFargo94]

It's interesting that the protestors are very concerned about the dollar amount being spent on the war, yet not a word about the millions of dollars they are costing the government, not to mention lost revenue for the area businesses. This too cuts into their precious social services.

[eno_]

Keep the shoe-on-the-other-foot scenarios in mind. You want a $50 admission fee to protest against abortion?

[inquest]

Abortion protestors typically know enough not to block traffic.

[vannrox]

Well, seing that most of the anti-war groups are generously funded from organizations outside of the US, they might have a hard time getting the funds anyways. It won't pass because most of the democrats in Mass belong to the anti-US movement.