Today I got sent to a Free Speech Zone for carrying a Ron Paul sign

[rambone]

Earlier today I was walking around Chesterton Indiana with a hand-draw picture of Ron Paul. There is a local festival going on, and the streets have been designated for foot traffic only. There are vendors set up on the street and whatnot. Elephant ears and hoagies. A pretty low key event.

This is the shirt design I was wearing​

I put on my favorite Ron Paul shirt and picked up my hand-drawn picture of Ron Paul. I just casually walked around Broadway, not bothering anybody. People would come up to talk to me if interested, give me a thumbs up, whatever. Its a free country right? My tax dollars paved and maintain this street. So here I am to peacefully enjoy it.

I got away with my free speech up until the final hour of the festival on its second day. Then the police sniffed me out and told me to take my politics to a Free Speech Zone where they belong. That is not an exact quote, but it is the exact message I received. I was told to leave or be arrested.

This is the piece of cardboard that is illegal to hold in my hands on Broadway.​

No, I did not record the confrontation. It happened pretty fast. I wanted to record, but I didn't want to stick my hands in my pockets. And yeah I was concealed carrying.

All they cited was that political speech isn't allowed at the festival. Yes the festival has private sponsors and people pay to set up booths. But the street shouldn't cease to be public just because vendors are present. The festival was closing in 20 minutes and I decided to let it go. I was cold, wet, and about to snap. I walked away before I lost it. Ron Paul does not gain votes by me raising my voice at police. They didn't lay a hand and I walked away with all my teeth. I plan on taking the encounter up with the town. The day was a success for me due to all the votes I secured.

I have a problem with (over)arguing with people. I said my piece, but the conversation was not going anywhere fruitful. I was partially convinced for the moment that they may have had a point... the vendors paid to be there, yada yada. I respect property rights. I took a walk back to my car. But thinking about it on the way home just made me more pissed off. I am fine with the town designating the street for foot-traffic only, and taking vendors' money to set up on the street. But WTF!! The street is still public. How can this festival nullify my right to stand there?


This country doesn't need a blessing, it needs an exorcism. -Rambone

 

[heavenlyboy34]

The very idea of "free speech zones" on public property should be disturbing to all. (I oppose public property, but that's for another thread)

 

[rambone]

The very idea of "free speech zones" on public property should be disturbing to all. (I oppose public property, but that's for another thread)

In fairness, they did not use those exact words. But that is how I feel about being kicked off a public street.

 

[dan2thecross]

Yeah, you defintiely don't want to end up like this guy:

 

[idiom]

The public street was being rented out for all intents and purposes. If you are a local then the vendors were indirectly paying you to co-operate. You own the street collectively and your ownership allows for free speech zones. You can take it up and change the by-laws but you might not be able to rent your property out for the same amount or as readily.

 

[michaelkellenger]

That picture is stupid for the simple reason there is a 9/11 truther in it.

 

[BSU kid]

The same thing happened Fred Krager at a NH festival last week...the bottom line is that the government is out of control.

 

[dan2thecross]

The government is most certainly out of control, but not for this reason so much. I understand that if this is taken away, what else can be taken away... but let's be real. There are way bigger problems we need to tackle. TS handled this one correctly. Choose your battles.

 

[CMoore]

Political speech is the most protected speech of all (supposedly). So you were within your rights to walk up and down a public street carrying a sign. The police were technically out of line on this one. However, sometime it is the better part of wisdom to retreat and try again another day when you are prepared to be arrested to make your point. Take someone to film the encounter and have someone lined up to bail you out. Consult with your attorney and let him/her know what you are up to and how you want to proceed and get him/her on board with the representation. Then go for it. Sounds like you reached many people and did a good job of getting the word out. That was the point. Sometimes it is more important to achieve outreach than go to the mat just to make a point. At some point the battles have to be fought, but if we can put Ron Paul in the White House maybe we can avoid having to fight many of them at all. It is a matter of judicious use of resources.

 

[Anti Federalist]

That picture is stupid for the simple reason there is a 9/11 truther in it.

O rly?

 

[Dave39168]

That picture is stupid for the simple reason there is a 9/11 truther in it.

come on man the point of the illustration is that we have a right to free speech, not that you have to agree with what's on the sign.

Good judgement on part of the OP. I'm sure it made you mad! It would have me too, you chose the more productive road

 

[MJU1983]

Free Speech Zone? WTF is that?

You didn't have your pocket Constitution with you? Just read the first amendment to those cops and tell them to piss off. LOL (maybe not in those words)

 

[dannno]

That picture is stupid for the simple reason there is a 9/11 truther in it.

Do you find that making fun of 9/11 truthers raises your self-esteem?

 

[Carehn]

next time let them know you mean no harm and will comply but to make a point they will have to arrest you. Tell them up front you will not resist. and put your hands behind your back. Then take it to court if you want but don't give in next time. I bet it would not cost you a dime to sit in prison for an hour.

 

[Carehn]

That picture is stupid for the simple reason there is a 9/11 truther in it.

9/11 was most likely an inside job. I don't know all there is to know about it. Nether do you. One think I DO KNOW is that #7 did not implode because of a fire. What else happened that day is up for grabs but im no sucker and #7 was BS all around. I would put money on 9/11 being an inside job.

Brush aside your blind patriotism for a brief second and look into #7 for me. Just that #7. Just toy with me. Look into it and let me know how stupid i am.

 

[kylejack]

Did you have to pay to get in gates at this festival? Private groups are allowed to rent public space. If it was free, I would have considered pressing it further.

 

[The Free Hornet]

WWII showed us that letting your guard down strategically (Pearl Harbor) can draw the people into a war that the elites are pushing.

 

[BrianHandeland]

HMMM interesting predicament... first you have to ask yourself should the government be allowed to sell public land back to individuals... ( I think most people on here would agree to that) And if that is the case can they rent public land to individuals? If you think they should also be able to rent land to people then you almost can understand the free speech zone (kinda). If the vendor is the current owner (via renting the land by a permit) until his time has expired it is his property and he should be able to ask you to leave it. So I dont believe in free speech zones because I dont believe anyone should ever be arrested for saying anything ... but if someone wants you off their property and you wont leave that is a separate issue.

 

[Humanae Libertas]

What if all streets were private? Wouldn't there be MORE free-speech zones? Wouldn't free-speech practically be phased out if each street was owned by a businees/company?

 

[angelatc]

In fairness, they did not use those exact words. But that is how I feel about being kicked off a public street.

Then you should have allowed yourself to be arrested, and taken the case all the way up to SCOTUS.