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.
:D
So you think the cops are on the 'take'?
No.
Thanks...that is disgusting..
I have wished for a long time that I lived close enough to participate...but now I am really disappointed.
Maybe if ya'll just held signs..didn't SAY a word...but played patriotic music from a CD player...until 10:00, and at a reasonable "loudness"...
Surely, they can't complain about that...
If I lived in the neighborhood, I would complain."
I believe that.
I don't think I even implied that.
Reminds me of a scene in a movie with John Belushi and some pinhead with a guitar singing about giving his love a cherry. That would work in real life too.
Absolutely not.
The officer is a fine gentleman. Someone called the police, then the dispatcher and/or this officer's boss told him to quiet people down and he tries to do that.
The problem is not any police corruption or anything like that. The problem is that the First Amendment basically trumps the right of quiet enjoyment of a neighborhood, but obviously some don't want to accept that if it's their neighborhood. In this case, the Pinkos have invaded and set the location for the peaceful, but loud, exercise of First Amendment rights, both their rights and our rights.
Respectfully going up the chain of authority of the police dept should resolve the problem, one hopes, lest a law suit be required to establish that chanting and shouting is allowed.
Then it still sounds like they are getting valid complaints. Any reason why you can't/shouldn't be quieter?
Code Pink.
Yea, they are jerks. Are they noisy at that time of night? If not, can't you counter protest quietly?
***Okay, out with it. What is dry gulching? One never knows when one might need a new idea or weapon.***
From factmonster.com:
dry-gulch
Pronunciation: (drî'gulch"), [key]
—v.t. Informal.
1. to ambush with the intent of killing or severely mauling: "The riders were dry-gulched by bandits."
2. to betray by a sudden change of attitude or allegiance: "The party dry-gulched its chief candidate at the convention."
I was using it in the sense of the first definition, of course. And when it comes to enemies of the Constitution (or our brave troops), a severe mauling is always in order.
Nam Vet
Code Pink are murderous traitors.
I don't have the time or the inclination to try and walk you through this tonight. I disagree with your judgement of this, and I'll leave it at that.
"What is dry gulching?"
Ambush Sucker Punch Blindside Sneak Attack
Take your pick - all have the same idea - sudden surprise attack.
.
Guess who's still on your side out here on the Left Coast..?
http://www.post-gazette.com/nation/20030324antiwar0324p7.asp
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