Anti-Bush protesters sue Secret Service (ACLU)

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AP)

The American Civil Liberties Union asked the federal courts Tuesday to prevent the U.S. Secret Service from keeping anti-Bush protesters far away from presidential appearances while allowing supporters to display their messages up close.

The civil liberties group filed the lawsuit in federal court in Pennsylvania on behalf of four advocacy organizations that claimed that the Secret Service forced them into protest zones or other areas where they could not be seen by President Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney or be noticed by the media covering their visits.

"The pattern we found was at presidential and vice presidential appearances, protesters were restricted to areas where they were out of sight, out of earshot and often out of mind," said Witold J. Walczak, legal director for the ACLU's Greater Pittsburgh chapter.

"Protecting our nation's leaders from harm is important. Protecting our nation's leaders from dissent is unconstitutional." ---

[GinaMaria]

1. I'm so glad the ACLU took this on

This will be corrected just in time for a Democratic President to take office in 2005 :-)
As one who has "protested" from a FAZ, I'm relieved that this is being discussed.

[elfwitch]

2. Good for them!!

I am glad they are doing this. Those damn "free speech zones" were a bit too Orwellian to be believed. If the Sock Puppet can't stand criticism, maybe he should pack up his toys and go home crying to Mommy.

[izzie]

8. I read he got them moved in Texas.

???????

[depakid]

3. It's about time

maybe they've been forum or judge shopping- but the ACLU should have done this a long time ago. On the other hand, maybe the timing is right- could make the case run into electime press.

[Cappurr]

4. Its about time...

I'm sick of this administration's bulling PR tactics.

[LiberalVoice]

5. Its About Damned Time!

Being the obvious Anti-Bush protestor and also being a fellow protestor in Pittsburgh i am very happy to see them taking action.

[wtmusic]

6. Just got my card

ACLU rocks!!!

[Myra]

7. ALCLU Rocks

*And* rolls!

Their our life blood.

[izzie]

9. Brings me back to History books once more. Are you sick of me doing this?

Sorry I can not help my self. Did not Cromwell stop any 4 people from meeting once he 'freed ' England from the King?

[damnraddem]

10. By contrast on these occasions, Dubya is not out of sight ...

although he is out of his mind.

[lazarus]

11. kick

:kick: