Posted on 07/20/2004 5:35:42 PM PDT by Mr. Silverback
Despite numerous attempts by our city’s corporation council, concerned citizens and the editorial staff of our weekly paper to drive a stake through its heart, an ordinance restricting the display of political signs in private yards was scheduled for a second reading and vote last night. Though the ordinance had been expanded to cover commercial signs (in my view making it more, not less, unconstitutional) it contained provisions restricting display of political signs to 90 days before an election, to two signs per issue/candidate and to less than 10 square feet. Unwilling to see our rights abridged, I and several friends of FR decided to do something about it.
Two friends I know through the County Right to Life Committee agreed to print up fliers if I’d provide the copy. I picked up 150 beautiful goldenrod pages at noon, and headed to City Hall to meet Scott and his son Michael, friends of FR. They were stationed out front with two large American flags. As I arrived, they called my attention to the Mayor, who was being interviewed on the other side of the intersection by Channel 17 news. While they handled Hizzoner, Scott took a bunch of the fliers and began passing them out to passersby. Michael also took some and went across the street. I had brought a sign (which read, IS IT STILL “FREE”PORT?) but I had a better idea, and took a moment to make a new one that read, “HONK IF YOU LOVE FREE SPEECH” with a heart in place of the “o” in “love.” I stationed myself on the corner near Scott, and despite the hideous roadwork on nearby streets, we had a great deal of traffic. Everybody who I saw read the sign honked enthusiastically.
The fliers had this copy on them (Council member’s contact info has been removed):
What are they thinking? Tonight our City Council will vote on an ordinance that blatantly violates the Constitution of the United States. It would restrict the display of signs on private property, including limits on the size, timing and number of political signs.
If this law were already in effect, a Bush/Cheney or Kerry/Edwards sign in your yard would be illegal. If “Manzullo for Congress” or “Obama for Senate” isn’t free speech, what in the world is? Does our right to free speech begin and end when politicians say it does, or is it an inalienable right?
Contact your Council representative today and tell them to vote against this ordinance!
freeportpatriots@yahoo.com
And here’s a photo:
The news crew also interviewed the alderman from the 1st Ward, George Gaulrapp. He came over afterwards to speak with me, and said he’d be voting against the ordinance. He said what really turned him around was when he saw a large yard sign welcoming the 333rd Military Police back home, and realized that it would have been illegal if the ordinance was in effect. I thanked him for his vote.
Next we had a visit from the news crew. The reporter was pleasantly perky, and they miked me up and we went off to the races. I made sure to work my “If ‘Manzullo for Congress’ isn’t free speech” line into it, and also said that no one ever marched off to war to defend proper lawn aesthetics. The bad news is that only one line got into the news story, but I can’t feel too bad since they left the Mayor out completely! While this was going on, Scott and Michael were making sure that everyone who came into range got a flier, including some drivers. I saw almost no one take one without either reading it or asking questions. We also got a visit from the Mayor, who said he was undecided. We encouraged him to speak out against the ordinance. If in doubt, leave it alone, right?
Around 1pm, we were ready to wrap up, but Michael wanted to see if we could get some fliers in front of the Council. We went inside, and talked to the Mayor’s secretary, who let us put the fliers in the Council members’ mailboxes, and on their desks in the Council Chamber. Michael also placed the remaining few fliers on the spectator chairs at the rear of the chamber. Heh-heh!We shook hands out on the street, and Scott gave me a great "W" sticker for my car.
What were the results? Here’s what the Journal-Standard had to say about it:
City votes down ordinance
By Ann Reus, The Journal-Standard
FREEPORT -- Following an impromptu protest earlier in the day in front of City Hall, the City Council Monday night voted unanimously against an ordinance that would restrict posting of commercial and political signs in yards.
A small group of protesters gathered outside City Hall to express their disapproval of the ordinance, based on a Rockford law, that they said violated First Amendment free speech rights by limiting the size, placement and number of signs and when they can be posted.
"The intent was not to control freedom of speech. The intent was to control the number of signs out there for aesthetic value," 1st Ward Alderman George Gaulrapp said.
Fourth Ward Alderman Mike Clark said the ordinance was unnecessary.
"It seems to be a resolution in search of a problem," he said.
I knew there was a reason I voted for Clark…
I did get one email from an alderman complaining that this was the first he’d heard from us (I shall enlighten him, don’t worry) but otherwise, response has been positive. When you consider that the committee Gaulrapp is on has approved this thing three times, I can only conclude that it was our presence that made the vote unanimous. Thank you Free Republic, for getting me addicted to freeping! The things I’ve learned and people I’ve met have enabled me to be a better citizen, and have a lot of fun doing it!
Oh, and I’ll be taking three of those Bush/Cheney yard signs: Biggest ones you’ve got, please!
Ping!
Way to go!
Thank you for your service to our country, the Constitution and liberty.
It is good to see that civic input from people that care can be heard and used to turn the tide of the P.C left.
Whew! I was on the edge of my seat reading your report. It is utterly absurd that adult councilmen didn't view the proposed ordinance as an abridgement of free speech until they were enlightened, thank the good Lord, by you FReepers. Things are getting scarier and scarier in this country.
Congratulations, Mr. Silverback & fellow FReepers! That was a mighty fine FReep!
Nice work!
Great FReep. Great report.
The assault on freedom suffered a setback today thanks to you.
Thank you for taking a stand. May many others learn from it and do likewise.
Bravo! Excellent work and congratulations on the vote.
You do me an honor. Thank you very much.
bttt
Wonderful work. You did great!!!
BUMP for patriotic work done!
BTT!!!!!!
Weaverville, NC passed a "no polical signs in yards" ordinance back in the mid 80's. My friend's dad promply challenged it by filling his yard with signs. He was fined, took it to court where it eventually got thrown out and the ordinance ruled unconstitutional.
Excellent work! Just goes to show you what a little activism can accomplish.
Freeping is fun and addictive.
Massachusetts has a law against politicing within 500' of a polling place. Down on Cape Cod, a certain gentleman lived right next to a school which just happened to be a polling place. The town tried to arrest him when he refused to take down his advocacy signs.
Political restrictions on private property were too much for even the MA courts and the case was tossed.
Keep up the good fight, Mr. Silverback.
I give up:
WTF is "Manzullo?"
I'm sure every well-informed freeper already knows, but please excuse me...
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