New City Law Forces Picketers to Step Back
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) Animal rights activists say they have lawyers "lined up" ready to challenge a new city ordinance restricting their picketing. The Salt Lake City Council voted five to two in favor of prohibiting activists from picketing within 100 feet of a private residence.The Utah Primate Freedom Project frequently pickets in front of the homes of researchers who work at the University of Utah's Animal Resource Center. City Council members say the new law is meant to prevent harassment. Animal rights activist Jasone Rose says it violates his right to free speech and public demonstration, and he believes the court will agree.
Mayor Rocky Anderson supports the ordinance and points to U.S. Supreme Court precedent allowing government intervention to protect a person's feeling of tranquility and privacy at home.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. Misty Fowler said:
I agree with the idea of protecting a person's feeling of tranquility and privacy at home. But, this seems like a bad idea to me. It's too generic and could easily be used in a way that restricts freedom of speech. There must be a better way.
2. Philos said:
The bottom line is simply that animal-rights activists threaten the profit margins of corporatge America. They threaten the bottom-lines of agribusiness, meat and dairy, big pharma, and researchers seeking grant money. These same corporate dollars are powerful enough to effect the passage of oppressive laws to silence the speech of protesters.