Posted on 06/01/2005 6:19:42 PM PDT by blanknoone
Went to NJ's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC..what most states call DMV) to deal with car registration stuff. I was 'accosted' by two Lyndon LaRouche supporters right outside. Their line was 'Help put Bush in a Mental Hospital!' and various other inanities...including 'Prevent the Nuclear Option and Save Billions of Lives" They were so radical it was kind of funny. I asked inside at the information desk if they had a permit and was told 'No' I asked if they needed one and was told 'No.' I was offended enough to go home and print out some signs and stand across from them. My Signs read:
Are you a “liberal” like them? Fight the Crazies: Join the GOP
He was re-elected: Get over it
What happened to count all the votes? Stop the filibuster
For 214 Years Judicial Nominees Required a Majority...Not a Super-Majority
Fairly uneventful for about 4 hours until the police showed up, apparently someone complained. The La Rouchies were fairly aggressively pursuing conversations and donations for their PAC. I was just standing there, and occasionally asking people they talked to to speak for a moment to point out how radical they are. The complaint accused them of using profanity and other 'inappropriate behaviour' I informed the police officer that they had not used profanity or any other out of bounds behaviour in the time I was there. After he finished with the LaRouchies and he came over and talked to me...basically discouraging me from being there. I specifically asked the police officer if he was telling me to leave and he answered, 'Absolutely Not'
The police officer went inside to speak with the assistant MVC facility director, who came out asked me who gave me permission, I told her the exchange I had with her information desk. She told me that I required permission. I asked who I required permission from, and she asked the La Rouchies who they got their permission from. They replied from the head of MVC Facilities in Trenton (who had already left for the day...it was this facility's open late night). Given that I did not have permission, I was told to leave by the MVC lady.
Just to be perfectly clear: I was told (not asked) I had to leave a government owned public facility for political speech in the form of a sign. I was so surprised I clarified, "You are telling me, not asking me to leave?" To which she replied, "Yes." I was more than shocked and will file a formal complaint tomorrow.
I also took pictures, but they are on film, so it'll be a while before I finish the roll and can get them up here.
Any FReeper Legal Eagles have any advice/commentary?
Good for you.
Great job Bump.
Thanks
Threaten a lawsuit because they denied you equality with the LaRouches. Threaten to sue her persoanlly too.
You do realize any time spent at NJ's DMV is considered time served in Purgatory, I hope. I'm shocked you even got out of there before closing time.
For starters, please post the full names and phone numbers of individuals who don't have the correct respect for the free speech rights guaranteed to a Citizen who just happens to be their employer.
Perhaps fifty or eighty phone calls a day for a week will help in the education process. I would hope all the calls are polite and intelligent and respectful, of course.
You have written this up. Now, embarass the h--- out of them. Take your narrative and send it out as a press release to radio and TV stations with your contact information. Send it to the newspaper.
Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. Any others?
These nutters set up shop in Union Square every month-several times during the course of the month, no less-to distribute their antisemitic, anti-American, conspiratorial screeds.
You would have figured that the source of potential recruits for the LaRouchies would have evaporated, now that former Governor Hugh Carey's de-institutionalization has been consigned to the ashheap of history.
LaDouche supporters are clinically insane cult members.
They actually did better than I thought they would at getting people to stop, talk, and give money. They did OK...it seems kinda zany, but for a place in the 'burbs, the MVC has higher foot traffic than any place else I could think of.
But the thing that really stands out to me is the MVC booting me and leaving them. I'm still stunned by that. Heck, I'm writing at 1AM because I can't sleep I'm still so worked up.
:)
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