Federal court: Augusta illegally hampered Masters protesters

CNN/Si ^ | April 15, 2004

[Vigilantcitizen]

ATLANTA (AP) -- An attempt to govern protests at the Masters golf tournament last year violated First Amendment rights to free speech, a federal court in Atlanta ruled Thursday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals decided the city of Augusta illegally tried to hamper a protest planned by the National Council of Womens' Organizations, led by Martha Burk.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Ping.

[stylin19a]

and that's opposed to it being ok to put Presidential protesters miles away from an event.

[KJacob]

The County cannot seriously believe that political expression involving as few as five people is likely to disrupt traffic, disturb the peace, threaten public safety and require advance notice to public officials," the judges wrote.


I believe when Ms. Burke applied for the permit she was expecting a lot more than 5 people. It was denied because they were projecting hundreds.

[Mr. Mojo]

"The County cannot seriously believe that political expression involving as few as five people is likely to disrupt traffic"

The bwitch-hag Burk only got five other bwitch-hags to join her? Bwahaha

[colorado tanker]

"political expression involving as few as five people"

Millions worth of free publicity from the New York Times and they only mustered five people??? Give it up, Martha.

[TheBigB]

That much leg and underarm hair can seriously hamper TV transmissions. That's the line the city shoulda taken.

[anonymous_user]

involving as few as five people

What?! Did the feminist movement recruit three more people?

[Vigilantcitizen]

That much leg and underarm hair can seriously hamper TV transmissions. That's the line the city shoulda taken.

And then there's the odor to consider.

[1Old Pro]

It doesn't say what the settlement was for. Perhaps a $3 bill?

[Exeter]

Does this mean the game didn't count? (sarcasm)

[T.Smith]

"I believe when Ms. Burke applied for the permit she was expecting a lot more than 5 people. It was denied because they were projecting hundreds."

Exactly! But, hey, why shouldn't they be able to use hindsight and a specious argument to further their agenda?

[Mr. Mojo]

Here's a photo from last year's protest, and it looks like a few more than just 5 people attended.

Btw, check out the dude in the back with the sign.....lol.

[lilylangtree]

Remember when the Hildebeest was freeped on her book-signing ceremony. The freepers were forced down the block or two from the signing ceremony. If this federal case holds up, then freepers rights were violated.

[bondjamesbond]

Did the feminist movement recruit three more people?

Now that's funny!

But seriously, just because only five people showed up does not mean Augusta was wrong. I'm sure when they were organizing this thing they were projecting thousands of people from across the nation united in a grass roots movement to .... yadda yadda...

Her primary goal is to get into position to disrupt the TV feed, to get her protesters close enough so they can be seen and heard by the cameras. But she simply does not have a right to the club's TV time. No way, no how.

By the way, kudos to the broadcasters for completely ingnoring her for yet another year...

[anonymous_user]

They should have let them up to the gates...

Then arrested and prosecuted them under RICO laws like what happens to pro-life abortion clinic picketers.

[bondjamesbond]

That law only applies to abortion clinics. I am not kidding.

[anonymous_user]

That law only applies to abortion clinics. I am not kidding.

I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised. No liberal double-standard here. Move along.

[colorado tanker]

You're right - from the picture they must have had about 20 protesters. They don't exactly look like golfing folk, though.