Posted on 03/08/2012 8:32:42 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
It’s going to be “Constitution 101″ for state police in Maryland, who will be undergoing training on the First and Fourth Amendments as part of a settlement of a lawsuit over the illegal arrests of pro-life protesters there.
Confirmation comes from officials with the Alliance Defense Fund, who argued that the officers’ decision to arrest, take into custody and strip-search the protesters simply wasn’t allowed.
The ADF noted that the settlement with Maryland State Police will include “training on rights protected by the First and Fourth amendments to the U.S. Constitution.”
“Under the terms of the settlement, Maryland State Police cannot issue countywide dispersal orders against peaceful pro-life speakers, cannot illegally arrest pro-life speakers who are exercising their constitutionally protected free speech and assembly rights, must provide acceptable reasons for asking any speakers to move, must provide speakers with the opportunity to move before threatening anyone with arrest, cannot censor constitutionally protected messages and images on signs, and must participate in training on rights protected by the First and Fourth amendments to the U.S. Constitution,” the ADF reported.
The state also is paying for the attorneys’ fees incurred by the pro-life advocates.
“The state is doing the right thing in agreeing to respect their constitutionally protected rights and to make sure officers fully understand these important freedoms,” said Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for the ADF. “Pro-life speech cannot be censored through unwarranted arrests and illegal orders to disperse.”
The ADF said the settlement came when the Maryland Board of Public Works voted for the agreement and made the promises. The case had been brought on behalf of pro-life advocates who were censored and arrested for peacefully sharing their message in Harford County in 2008.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
O Malley was on MSNBC Maddow Show tonight. It was a love in.
Duh. What did they swear to protect and defend, anyway?
a jackbooted illusion standing in for a constitution
They should include info about the 2nd amendment too.
Sorry i missed it.
Kinda.
Throw in some 2nd Amendment schooling while they’re at it.
Reminds me of the case of the "Philadelphia 11".
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