Free speech is NOT permitted

[prolesunited]

Why do we have to get a permit for every event? What happened to the days when people just stood on a soap box on the corner?

[arcane1]

1. those days are, sadly, gone

one wonders how much more difficult it will be to get these damned permits nowadays, too

:hi:

[prolesunited]

2. Hey there!

Just thinking about you the other day. Hope all is well. :hi:

[arcane1]

3. all is rather well

as long as I avoid the news

which, of course, I can't do :evilfrown:

counting the days until 9/24!!!!!

:hi:

[tridim]

4. I'm an atheist, but I'm praying that D.C. stays sane this weekend

I'm sure the main speakers have a permit, but what happens when protesters leave the designated permit area? Are people allowed to give impromptu speeches outside the main stage?

[Xithras]

5. You can still stand on a soapbox.

You just have to stop talking when your crowd reaches a certain size.

Permits are mostly so the city can arrange supporting services as needed. If your crowd might spill into a street, they'll need to shut the street down and reroute traffic. If you want to have 5000 people in a park, they want to ensure that you're ordering porta-potties so people aren't pissing in the trees. If you're going to have a parade, they'll need to arrange police escorts.

There's nothing wrong with the idea of requiring a permit. The problem arises when corrupt bureaucrats rig the permitting system to further their political views or undermine their opponents.

[Der Blaue Engel]

6. Only hate-spitting christers are allowed to do that

Had to walk by two of 'em this weekend in San Francisco. One of them was waving a bible and screaming bile about "homosexuals!" (I think they just like saying that word), and as I passed I said, "Satan, get thee behind me!"

[prolesunited]

7. I guess they need to draw bigger crowds

to get shut down.

[Deja Q]

9. Christhaters, you mean.

:think:

[Der Blaue Engel]

11. Christers is my word for people who use Christ as an excuse for their hate

Otherwise, I say xians. ;)

[Eric J in MN]

8. I think people should be allowed to speak in a park to

a crowd of less than 4,000 without getting a permit.

But I don't write the laws.

[porphyrian]

10. The corner has a business on it...

...and the owner says you're blocking or scaring away their customers. Using permits allows law enforcement to tell those businesses to shut up.