“...there have always been a number of “preachers” that stand and “preach” for hours at a time. They call out girls for dressing provocatively. They warn of alcohol as the devil. Etc. etc.”
They should not be restricted and “zoned.” You may not like what these “preachers” are saying (they are right by the way), but the COTUS is clear in the First Amendment. The First protects religious expression and speech. It never guarantees anyone (except on private property) protection from hearing “religious” or any other “speech” (especially political or religious). We have freedom of religion and speech in this country....not freedom from religion or speech.
Well, I would agree to a point, but if a kid is trying to get some sleep after studying for a final and she has a guy w/ a bullhorn 20 yards from her window at 8am, then it’s a problem.
[They should not be restricted and “zoned.” You may not like what these “preachers” are saying (they are right by the way), but the COTUS is clear in the First Amendment. The First protects religious expression and speech. It never guarantees anyone (except on private property) protection from hearing “religious” or any other “speech” (especially political or religious). We have freedom of religion and speech in this country....not freedom from religion or speech.]
Your right to free speech ends where another persons nose begins.
In an ideal world, we’d have to ability to say whatever we wanted, wherever we wanted, and everyone would be able to choose what to listen to. But in the real world, there is only so much space available and it’s often the case that high traffic areas get quickly saturated with activists all shouting over each other in their attempt to be heard. If left completely unregulated, then chaos would result and the concept of “free speech” would become meaningless.
In my first hand experience on campus, there are always so many groups trying to stake out the most heavily trafficked areas like the campus commons in order to hand out pamphlets that it’s sometimes like running a gauntlet. When you are trying to get from one building to the next in only 10 minutes and you have to pass through these high traffic areas, being forced to navigate through a minefield of tables and other stationary structures is no longer just a minor inconvenience, it’s an impediment to being able to participate in the classes you’ve signed up for (and spent thousands of dollars on). Understand that it’s the goal of these groups to try to stop as many people on their way through so they can plead for their cause - whatever it may be - and setting up obstacles (like folding tables) right in the middle of the flow of pedestrian traffic is the best way to accomplish this.
Finally, the right to free speech is in no way abridged by prohibiting groups from setting up tables, booths, gazebos, circus tents or any kind of encampment - whatever its size. They can stand there like everyone else and speak their minds and pass out as many pamphlets that they can stuff into their backpacks.