Anti-War Group to Sue DC Government

CNSNews.com ^ | August 20, 2007 | Monisha Bansal

[mdittmar]

An anti-war group will file suit Monday afternoon claiming that the District of Columbia is infringing on its First Amendment rights by imposing $10,000 in fines for "improperly" posting fliers promoting a Sept. 15 march.

The ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition last week received notices of violation from the D.C. Department of Public Works totaling $10,000 in fines for posters announcing a march in D.C. The notices require the group to remove the posters within 72 hours.

The signs promote an anti-war march set for Sept. 15, the date that Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, is scheduled to provide a progress report to President George W. Bush and Congress.

ANSWER was launched by liberal lawyer Ramsey Clark shortly after 9/11, and it largely focuses on protesting against the Bush administration's foreign policy. Many of ANSWER's leaders are politically left-wing and include, for instance, people from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a Marxist-Leninist group.

"Our posters are put up in conformity with D.C. municipal regulations, which permit and regulate the postering," Sarah Sloan, national staff organizer for the ANSWER Coalition, told Cybercast News Service. "We've done this for many years; many other groups do it. We've never been targeted like this before.

"We really consider it to be a political campaign carried out because this is a demonstration coming at a time when Bush wants to justify the continuation of the war," she added.

"Knowing that the majority of people are against the war, the last thing he wants to see is a manifestation of that opposition -- that being tens of thousands of people in the streets so that no one can deny that the people of the U.S. are against the war," Sloan stated.

According to a CBS News poll released last week, 69 percent of Americans disapprove of the Bush administration's handling of the war.

"The ANSWER Coalition will not pay one penny to the government for our First Amendment rights or to stave off their threats against us," the group said. "It's definitely an enduring issue and an issue that affects all groups that seek to exercise their free speech and First Amendment rights."

Linda Grant, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Department of Public Works, said she is not familiar with a plan to sue, but she said the fines are not out of the ordinary. "We do it every day," she said.

Grant also refuted Sloan's claims that the fines are politically motivated.

"The District of Columbia has been the host of many marches [and] protests over the years, and we never weigh in on the content of the issue," she told Cybercast News Service. "Our concern here is that the signs violate our regulations and that we are asking them to respect D.C. residents and our regulations."

Grant noted that the posters were "improperly placed" because more than three signs were posted on one side of a block, and the posters were placed on more than lampposts, which is the only place where they are allowed. The posters were also fixed to lampposts and utility boxes using "an adhesive which is not allowed." The larger posters are taking 20 to 30 minutes to remove.

"Those are false claims," countered Sloan. "They are lying and saying that we used glue, which we did not, and that it takes 20 to 30 minutes to remove which is inaccurate.

"We use a water-soluble paste. It is quick and easy to remove; you just add water. They are removing these posters to prevent people from knowing about this event," she added.

[Turret Gunner A20]

YAWNzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[rockinqsranch]

This article starts off wrong IMO right off the bat as ANSWER is a Communist Organization promoting World Communism under the guise not only of “Anti War”, but various protest topics. They set up booths and hand out Communist literature at whatever they are “Protesting” at the moment.

To call them simply “Anti War” is far from that perhaps noble goal when they are actually Commie dirtbags promoting the demise of our Nation.

[jack_napier]

The idea that the extremely liberal DC local government is up to putting political pressure on ANSWER is stupid! Have these people ever heard the things the mayor says? Could it just be they can’t admit when they’re wrong?

[FlingWingFlyer]

Is this the “right direction” that the voters said they wanted this country to go in? A bunch of anti-American gasbags bringing lawsuits against local governments?

[USNBandit]

"Those are false claims," countered Sloan. "They are lying..."

That's a good way to solve your impasse with a government official. Call them a liar.

Next they'll say some Freepers put up the extra posters trying to get the city to fine ANSWER..............

[jaredt112]

I was in DC a few days ago, and saw the signs posted around town. It’s understandable why they are being fined, because the things seem to be glued to the objects they are on. I tried to remove one, and could barely just scrape off parts of the edges. It’s defacing property pure and simple.

[rocksblues]

“They are lying and saying that we used glue, which we did not, We use a water-soluble paste”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paste

Glue, an adhesive, which may be a paste.

[nina0113]

I haven’t seen any yet, but I’m looking. I need to start carrying my camera again.

[AirBorn]

I think that ESPECIALLY in the WASHINGTON, D.C. area; where a terrorist Suicide bomber would LOVE to walk around UN-Dectected as they BLEND IN like the Al Qeada do in Iraq any elsewhere- that the WASHINGTON DC POLICE! should make it :

ILLEGAL to be Wearing ANY Banadanas!! or MASKS!! anyTIME-AnyWHERE! for any reason!

THAT ACTION of Covering their faces-is what Poses a Very Serious Threat to the Life of not only our Nations LEADERS; Senators, Congress and by-Standers!! But ALSO..

Gives any Terrorist or Bomb-Planting Nut case "Cover" as they blend in and can NOT be recognized later to followed up on later-when they plant a Bomb anywhere to any national Building or Tourist attraction!

Remember those FAKE "Terrorist Arrests" the Anarchists were satging on the PUBLIC STREETS of D.C. last year?? they were SCARING THE HELL out of Total Strangers (which they say was their whole aim!) and Tourists who COULD have pulled out a GUN and Shot THEM!!(Maybe what they WANTED to happemn!?)And THEN what would have the Media have said? Or Them? " ..now you can also see why we should ban hand guns..."!

I am currently drafting a proposed Law that would ensure that, " the Needs of the MANY & their Safety OUT WEIGHS the Freedom of Speech and privacy Needs of the One or few " in such a Vital, and Desirable Target(s) for said Terrorists. And makes Attacks and destruction and Murder that much more attractive and SAFE to accomplish in with COVERED MASKS or HIDING OF IDENTITIES!

Let's see how those Moom bats like THAT!! Ouch!! Take THAT!! and THAT!!

"..Ohh! Stop It your Freepers!! Your are Hurting me!! Ouch!!!..."

BEWARE of SCRILLARY BEAST ATTACKS! in 08'