freedom for pay

[low_delta]

This makes me sick...

The Solidarity Sing Along has been going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol during the noon hour since the winter of 2011. The Solidarity Singers gather to sing protest and folk songs in opposition to Governor Walker and the ruling Republican legislature. The Sing Along is held during the noon hour which is a "non-business" hour at the Capitol so it does not interfere with normal business and the Singers also frequently move their gatherings outdoors to accommodate the needs of those who have reserved the space for that hour (i.e., wedding parties, student visits, Legislative Days functions, etc.). Despite the Wisconsin Constitution expressly stating that free assembly shall never be abridged, the Walker administration has instituted a permitting system that limits this right to free assembly. The singers believe that the Constitution is all the permit they need and they should not have ask to protest (and make themselves financially liable to) the government they oppose.
Last week, the administration started arresting and ticketing people (to the tune of $200) for SINGING. A few have even been arrested or threatened with arrest for merely observing the event. Apparently, observing is participation. How Orwellian!

If you're conservative, you believe that having to get a permit interferes with your Second Amendment right to own a gun, but it's okay to abridge someone else's First Amendment rights to protest (peacefully) by requiring permits.

Comments

[mellary4.livejournal.com]

That makes me sick too :(

[mummm.livejournal.com]

That's HORRIBLE!

I really think that SOME people in the Republican party are way out of control.

Singing

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

And (sigh) given what's happened in this state the last few years, I feel like going to court won't even do any good.

Re: Singing

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

The Supreme Court would just say that having to buy a permit does not infringe on the right to stage a protest.

[hinterland.livejournal.com]

I am not in favour of the 'observing is participation' rule, nor of fining people for singing. Are we to be bullied into silence for the rest of our lives?