An area designated for organized protests is enclosed by mesh and chain link fencing near the site of the upcoming Democratic National Convention
Posted on 07/23/2004 6:15:28 AM PDT by AmericanMade1776
A federal judge yesterday refused to order the city to tear down a caged zone for anti-DNC protesters, citing radicals known to attack using urine-filled squirt guns and slingshots.
U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock called the barbed-wire pen ``an affront to free expression'' and ``irrefutably sad'' but necessary because of protesters' antics in New York and Los Angeles.
The judge met behind closed doors yesterday with Secret Service agents about threats to DNC delegates at the FleetCenter.
``The federal government does have some specific information about incidents that may occur,'' Assistant U.S. Attorney George Henderson told the court.
The government refused to describe the threats publicly.
Members of an umbrella protester group called the Black Tea Society, who sued the city over the ``Free Speech Zone,'' vowed to boycott the space and protest in small groups around the FleetCenter.
``You walk into the zone, you might as well be going into a jail,'' said organizer Tonya Vamont of Boston.
``I'm a Democrat, not a terrorist,'' said one woman who plans to protest her party's policies. That leaves the zone's stage for groups such as the Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas, which sought a city permit to protest Democrats' support for abortion and gay marriage.
Black Tea's lawyers said there isn't enough time to appeal.
``On the basis of his ruling, you can justify any infringement on free speech based on a speculative threat and that's frightening,'' attorney Jonathan Shapiro said.
In a separate case, the judge ordered the city to allow a coalition of protesters to march down Causeway Street directly past the FleetCenter at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Woodlock also upheld the city's right to ban protesters from setting up tables and chairs. Police fear the furniture could be used as weapons.
The city's lawyer, Mary Jo Harris, said the city is pleased with the rulings and will change plans to stop the parade a block away on Valenti Way.
Parades during the week, however, cannot use Causeway Street, the judge said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bostonherald.com ...
An area designated for organized protests is enclosed by mesh and chain link fencing near the site of the upcoming Democratic National Convention
This is so sad.
US judge Douglas P. Woodlock (in dark suit), government officials, and reporters toured the protest zone yesterday.
Oh yeah....
Someone better call the World Court about this.
It will long be remembered , as the lack of Hospitality offered by the Boston Community to those offering opposition to the Democrat party Machine.
"There is no need for fences and nets unless you're trying to simulate East Germany," said Ron Newman, a computer programmer from Somerville who stopped to examine the zone yesterday en route to his job in the North End. "We're supposed to tolerate some disorder to make sure people can express their opinions." As Newman pedaled away on his bicycle, National Guard troops moved in by truck.
BTW, it is a good thing the RAT convention isn't in Florida since there is a law about penning in pregnant sows.
The Democrats will not only not acknowledge their own offspring, they insist that they be put in cages. What is the world coming to.... (sadly, I know the answer to that particular rhetorical question).
So if you are protesting against the leftists, you are caged. But if you protest against the evil conservatives, no restrictions.
Cement barriers, 8-foot-tall chain-link fencing, and heavy black netting have been installed around the protest zone outside the FleetCenter, angering protesters who say they will be penned in and closed off from Democratic National Convention delegates.
Much of the area is located under abandoned elevated Green Line tracks that slope downward. The setup, which one netting installer called ''an internment camp," will force tall protesters at the southern end of the zone to lower their heads to avoid banging them on green metal girders.
Can you identify the phrase that deals with the rule of law and the ONLY concern for a federal judge?
Massachusetts National Guard soldiers set up barbed wire along subway tracks near the FleetCenter on Wednesday.
Hmmm, that's very fine distinction there.
But you support them, right?
I guess all this is to make the DemCon look good (no disruptive protests), and the RepCon bad (scenes of people running around protesting).
So conservatives protesting the DNC will be penned in while in NYC (where the GOP convention is being held) a federal judge has said that backpacks can't be banned. Oh, yeah. That's fair.
Kinda looks like the internment camp in "Red Dawn".
"I protest the DNC!!"
"Go away criminals!" -DNC
But I thought Bob Kerry wanted to hear all voices..
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