Right to Life argues for access to trade show

[Thom Little]

An attorney for Alaska Right to Life said the group should not be barred from trade shows in public buildings because its message might offend people. Ken Jacobus argued Tuesday in Superior Court that organizers of the Alaska Women's Show used that standard to keep the anti-abortion group out of the city-owned Sullivan Arena in 2001 and 2002. Alaska Right to Life sued in 2003.

The policy "is pretty clearly unconstitutional. It's too broad. Is there no standard set?" Jacobus said. "And these days virtually anything might offend someone." Private promoters should follow the same principles the city would in hosting an event at a public building, Jacobus said.

Assistant municipal attorney Josh Freeman disagreed. The promoter, Aurora Productions, was not acting on behalf of government and should be allowed to decide who exhibits, he said.

"There are tons of events that take place in municipal facilities that want to exclude others. They want it to be just for the theme that they have decided, whether it is weddings, political events, church events," Freeman said.

Jacobus said Alaska Right to Life's free-speech rights were violated, that it was not treated the same as other groups and that the city lacked specific rules for privately run shows.



http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AK_TRADE_SHOW_LAWSUIT_AKOL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-11-30-14-13-10

[snowbear]

1. Hell.. they can't even get people at the State Fair to visit their booth!

Every year, they have that pathetic looking booth with the lame plastic displays.. and maybe once an hour, some dimwit will stop and pick up a pamphlet from them.

They just don't get it. They're not welcome at the Alaska State Fair, and they won't be welcome at the Sully.