Posted on 12/26/2019 7:16:47 AM PST by yesthatjallen
A member of a Michigan synagogue is suing anti-Israel protesters and Ann Arbor city leaders over 16 years of protests outside the Beth Israel Congregation, arguing the protesters have been uniquely provocative and that some restrictions on them would not violate free-speech protections in the U.S. Constitution.
The regular Saturday protests of up to a dozen people outside the synagogue, with signs the lawsuit describes as hateful and anti-Semitic, amount to harassment of worshipers, so don’t qualify for full First Amendment protections, according to the 85-page filing in U.S. District Court for Eastern Michigan.
“The First Amendment right of free speech does not entitle a speaker to use that right repeatedly to bludgeon, for weeks and years at a time, in the same location,” the lawsuit said. “The First Amendment … is subject to appropriate limitations on its continued and repeated usage.”
The lawsuit filed on behalf of Marvin Gerber, a member of the Beth Israel Congregation, contends the protests violate Ann Arbor ordinances on such public gatherings. It seeks an order putting restrictions on the demonstrations and demands an end to what it calls “harassing conduct.” It also seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress.
Those named as defendants include protester Henry Herskovitz and his two organizations, Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends and Deir Yassin Remembered, which say they were founded to advocate for Palestinians.
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor is also among the defendants.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Your freedom ends when it infringes on my freedom.
Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends and Deir Yassin Remembered
These are the Jews that led the other Jews onto the trains.
Exactly. They used to be referred to as “useful Jews”. I was responding to the other freeper’s comment about restricting freedom of speech. Their protests are sheer harassment. The plaintiff just want the harassment to be stopped.
They do it for Planned Parenthood protests on site.
Somewhat like Soros
> signs the lawsuit describes as hateful and anti-Semitic <
I don’t know who’s right in this particular lawsuit. Maybe the repeated bad behavior of the protestors does rise to the level of harassment.
But I would hope that the courts tread very carefully here. Too many folks want to ban “hate speech”. Or as in this case, hateful signs. If this trend continues, all of our 1A liberties will eventually be lost.
Nobody has the "freedom" to be free from upsetting messages in public spaces.
Soros IS a useful Jew.
If you get into my face with your “upsetting” messages, like they harass Trump supporters, I do have a freedom from that. Just move your protests farther away and yell until you crap your pants. I don’t mean you, literally. You is generic.
"Free Speech" doesn't guarantee a right to be heard. Let them get a permit to spew their hate at time(s) certain in a public park.
In-your-face protesting needs to be outlawed.
ML/NJ
Totally agree. That is the whole point.
I agree with you. This is one issue where good, rational judges are necessary. A good judge can draw the line between protecting free speech and preventing harassment. It has to be looked at on a case-by-case basis to prevent overreach in either direction.
Hopefully the court will rule against the synagogue member.
Why not?
Why should anyone be FORCED to listen to someone or read their message?
Plenty of "public spaces" have a designated purpose and rules restricting their use. (E.g. The White House, your local high school, &c.) Roads and sidewalks are for getting from one place to another.
ML/NJ
So you can harass people at their place of worship and the judge will rule against you. That is rich. I wonder if they would equally dare protest outside a mosque.
And as long as speakers don't prevent anyone from getting from one place to another, they are within their First Amendment rights to speak there.
What exactly constitutes 'in your face'? And where in the First Amendment is that restriction stated?
The First Amendment is supported by a multitude of laws. If you harass people at their place of worship that is regulated by laws. Nobody restricts their right to protest unless and until they interfere with people right to worship without being harassed and bothered. Move your protest where you don’t bother the people who just want to exercise their freedom of religion. Go protest outside a mosque, see what happens. But a church or a synagogue are OK, I guess.
Those named as defendants include protester Henry Herskovitz and his two organizations, Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends and Deir Yassin Remembered, which say they were founded to advocate for Palestinians. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor is also among the defendants.
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