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Pocono News Section
Price for Speaking Out?
Price for Speaking Out? - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 7:22PM EST
? Reported by: Eric scheiner
Monday, May 12, 2008 @ 07:22pm EST
WILKES-BARRE -- The anti-illegal immigration organization Voice of the People USA wanted to hold a rally at Public Square in Wilkes-Barre this past weekend. They did not. They claim it was because city officials wanted to charge them to hold a rally there.
The American Civil Liberties Union has protested rallies held by Voice of the People USA in the past, but the latest claim has the two groups working together. The ACLU has agreed to take on the case, claiming the Constitutional rights of the Voice of the People USA are being violated.
Voice of the People USA claim the city wanted $200 in fees as well as insurance coverage for their event.
The City of Wilkes-Barre says if an organization wants to reserve an area on which to hold an event of any kind, they must sign and return a special events form. They must also sign a hold harmless agreement and provide a copy of their insurance with the city.
Should organizations pay to reserve time to gather on city grounds? Does the city have the right to protect themselves from liability?
WYOU Interactive discusses the issue with Dan Smeriglio of Voice of the People USA and Valerie Burch of the ACLU. | | |
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