Free Speech Rules Draw Fire at Public Hearing

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Earlier this year a handful of demonstrators were barred from distributing leaflets on Utah's Capitol Hill. That sparked a lawsuit, which resulted in a court order against the state. Now state officials are writing new rules to govern so-called "free speech activities" on the Hill. And members of the public are wary of their intentions:

"These restrictions will further disenfranchise elderly and disabled people," said Bill Germundsen of the Anti-Hunger Action Committee.

"These rules make the entire system look scared of public access," said Gena Edvalson of the Utah Progressive Network.

Kent Able of the AARP added, "The underlying context is to limit speech that Utah legislators find disturbing or counter to their own legislative agendas."

Dozens spoke against the proposed rules at a public earing yesterday. The changes would restrict activities like handing out literature, conducting press conferences and making speeches to certain areas on Capitol Hill. Paid lobbyist activities would fall under a different set of rules, which bothers disabled rights advocate Ken Woll.

"My friends are mostly on Medicaid with barely enough money to buy food at the end of the month," says Woll. "We're not going to take you to a Jazz Game or out to lunch. But those are free speech zones too and they're not accessible to us. We hand out pamplets."

The Capitol Preservation Board - which includes several lawmakers, the Chief Justice of the Utah State Supreme Court and the Utah Attorney General - will take public comment until October 2nd before formalizing the new rules.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW