Posted on 10/12/2009 6:29:12 AM PDT by La Lydia
The decision by Herndon's mayor and several Town Council members to protest a Democratic fundraiser last month and a fiery community meeting that followed have ignited a free-speech debate and opened old wounds about the town's tough anti-illegal immigration policies. The hubbub started Sept. 16 in downtown Herndon...Mayor Stephen J. DeBenedettis and council members Dennis D. Husch, William B. Tirrell Sr. and Charlie D. Waddell, Republicans, joined a handful of sign-holding protesters outside a fundraiser where Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) was speaking...
Republicans used it as a chance to hold a "tea party" to protest policies of President Obama. ...
At a Herndon Town Council meeting a week later, several residents complained about the elected officials' presence at the protest. But the person who really got things stirring was Ruth Tatlock, 81. Tatlock, originally from Sweden, has lived in Herndon since 1974.
"Yes, I know it's a free country and everyone is allowed to protest, but when to do it is important," Tatlock read....
The furor over the town's day laborers led to the ouster of the mayor and council members who had approved the center in 2005. It also thrust Herndon into the national debate on immigration. Herndon has the highest proportion of foreign-born residents of any locality in the Washington area. Since then, the new anti-illegal immigration council has looked at several measures that touch on immigration, including supporting a statewide proposal to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who lack a state-issued license. Last month, Husch told the town's police chief to step up petty-nuisance arrests in a three-block area of downtown, where Hispanic men are known to congregate.
Tatlock said...Husch has "dirtied Herndon by harping on the illegal immigrants" and vowed to continue speaking up, regardless of who tries to shut her up....
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359477/posts
That is probably why she came here. Saw the writing on the wall, wanted to live in a free, non-socialist country. She is among the millions who screwed up their own countries so bad they had to leave, and now they’re here trying to screw up ours.
She is entitled to her viewpoint. Even if she is an idiot. Her speech is protected under the Consitution, even if she makes a fool out of herself. Fine with me.
I agree. But she was telling other people that it is not responsible for them to exercise THEIR free speech rights.
She has the right to speak. Nobody has any obligation to listen.
She was telling the elected officials THEY HAD NO RIGHT TO SPEAK.
I drove thru town last Friday and I think they missed a few locations.
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