Protest Buffer Zone
The 老澳门开奖结果 works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.
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What's at Stake
As a general matter, fixed zones where protest is banned can create serious First Amendment issues. All too frequently, schools create 鈥渇ree-speech zones鈥� and police corral lawful protesters into out-of-the-way protesting areas where no one can hear them.
Such geographical limitations on speech betray the values of the First Amendment, which permit鈥攁nd require the government to tolerate鈥攑eaceful protest in public areas. We have repeatedly defended the right of even the most controversial speakers to get their message out.
At the same time, there may be limited situations where protesters obstruct or intimidate people who are exercising their own constitutional rights. Where the facts demonstrate that aggressive protest inhibits other citizens in the exercise of their rights, we weigh the competing constitutional rights at stake and assist the courts in analyzing these tough issues.
Fixed buffer zones pose serious First Amendment problems and should be permitted only in the most limited circumstances. The 老澳门开奖结果 continues to ensure that buffer zones are imposed only when there are competing constitutional rights at stake and where protesters are provided with adequate ways to communicate their message.
As a general matter, fixed zones where protest is banned can create serious First Amendment issues. All too frequently, schools create 鈥渇ree-speech zones鈥� and police corral lawful protesters into out-of-the-way protesting areas where no one can hear them.
Such geographical limitations on speech betray the values of the First Amendment, which permit鈥攁nd require the government to tolerate鈥攑eaceful protest in public areas. We have repeatedly defended the right of even the most controversial speakers to get their message out.
At the same time, there may be limited situations where protesters obstruct or intimidate people who are exercising their own constitutional rights. Where the facts demonstrate that aggressive protest inhibits other citizens in the exercise of their rights, we weigh the competing constitutional rights at stake and assist the courts in analyzing these tough issues.
Fixed buffer zones pose serious First Amendment problems and should be permitted only in the most limited circumstances. The 老澳门开奖结果 continues to ensure that buffer zones are imposed only when there are competing constitutional rights at stake and where protesters are provided with adequate ways to communicate their message.