Posted on 12/30/2005 8:07:26 PM PST by kristinn
An officer with Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) ordered the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic to silence our voices tonight at our weekly support the troops demonstration outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
The officer cited complaints from the neighborhood about the noise our voices make as we chastise the so-called antiwar protesters across the street at the main gate to Walter Reed.
The officer went across the street and issued the same order to the Code Pinkos. We're not sure if the order applies to their singalong guitar player (who serenaded the wounded troops tonight with Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door".)
Two weeks ago, several MPD officers staked out our Walter Reed demonstration. One officer issued a similar order but he did not enforce it as we verbally challenged it on First Amendment grounds and called in a complaint to MPD's 4th District HQ where Walter Reed is located.
We plan to formally challenge tonight's order as a violation of our First Amendment rights. D.C. case law is extremely "liberal" when it comes to exercising First Amendment rights and we believe there is strong grounds for our right to vocalize our political beliefs.
Our permit application on file with MPD clearly states that we planned to use battery powered megaphones. MPD has not denied the usage of megaphones when they processed the application. However, out of respect for the residents in the mixed-use area we have never used megaphones--just our voices.
The D.C. noise ordinance kicks in at 10 p.m. We stop using our loud voices between 9 and 9:30 p.m. when Code Pink slinks off before the Fran O'Brien's bus returns to Walter Reed with the soldiers and their family members.
Several months ago, Code Pink left fliers at the doors of residences near Walter Reed encouraging them to call the police to complain about our vocal exercising of our First Amendment rights.
We understand the complaints of those who live in the neighborhood, however our demonstration would be crippled if we were silenced.
We've never had to file a lawsuit in seven years of activism in our nation's capital, but there's a first time for everything.
Hmm....now we just need a certain FReeper to coordinate it??
And thanks, Kristinn, for all that you and the other FReepers in your group do.
Thank God for the Marine Corps.
Two young people I have watched grow up got married yesterday. They are both honest, honorable, decent, intelligent, and tough. They love each other very much.
Mr. H. wore his Marines Dress Blues and Mrs. H was beautiful, radiant. Mr. H. is eager to deploy in Iraq.
Stand tough, you guys! I am so proud to belong to a group which has folks like you in it!
"How can we help! Private email me. I'll await your orders!!"
Orders? Who am I to give orders? If you want to know how to help, the DC freepers are a lot more knowledgeable than I am.
Tell about the Christmas Tree antics, I haven't heard that story. (Didn't get back here, I got swept up in company, last night.)
Got it, thanks.
You go right on and root for the Panthers!!
And let me know the next time you come to visit ; )
I DO live in that neighborhood, and it gets annoying when both groups are shouting at each other. That's why I don't join the counterprotests.
That's bull. There are million-dollar homes a block away. I've never heard a single gunshot in all my time there.
There's a large residential area, middle class, across the street from the hospital. Two-story row houses, most of them pretty nice--not great, but not seedy. Go a couple of blocks back and there are some really NICE homes. It's a residential area. Takoma Elementary School is not far away. People park on the streets--nice cars, too. The Freepers set up in front of a church parking lot every Friday night--not a crack house.
I guess you missed the woman killed at the Metro station. That is no bull. Dead is dead.
You'll pardon me if I don't believe a word you say.
I don't know about any churches, but there's a very small, abandoned building in the overgrown parking lot where we assemble the MOAB and some of us park.
Believe what you wish. I live on Dahlia--just off Georgia Avenue--and I've driven by the protests quite a few times. I'm rather fond of the Lucky Ginger, the little Chinese place down the street, and often stop in on Friday nights.
Look closer. There is a church right next to that gravel lot.
I must have missed that. Was it the Takoma Park station? That's the closest one to Walter Reed.
I'm not arguing that. But I do know I have seen a small, abandoned (and semi-open) building right in the parking lot that could serve various needs, probably none of which would be wanted by the neighbors.
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