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|~ Recognition ~|
Our local organization is widely recognized among the most active and vibrant chapters of Florida’s ACLU Affiliate. Many people work behind the scenes because, as the slogan goes, “Freedom can’t protect itself.” Please join us in acknowledging our local Board of Directors for their service in 2007. Results of the election for 2008 will be announced and celebrated at the upcoming Bill of Rights Awards Banquet.
Thom Foley, President Ray Arsenault, First Vice-Chair Maria Vesperi, 2nd Vice-Chair Paul Pohlman, Secretary Carol Steele, Treasurer Bruce Howie, Legal Panel Chair Jeanie Blue Sidney Goetz Jeff Harper Adrien Helm Jerry Moore Jim Peterson Sam Schrift Nigel Watson
Pinellas Chapter Delegates to the ACLU of Florida Board of Directors: Ray Arsenault Thom Foley Adrien Helm
Appointed members of the Pinellas Chapter Board:
Norman Brown John Chase Robert Collette Jason Davis Karen Doering Margaret Evans Mark Kamleiter Don Neri Glenn Paul Wendy Risk Nano Riley Thomas Smith Jay Sokolovsky Will Tripoli
-- Maria D. Vesperi, Nominations Committee Chair |
![Text Box: Pride Goeth
Our local Pride Fest and parade (largest in the Southeast, as I understand it) this past June was fraught with civlibs dust-ups of the confrontational kind. After a few decades plus of toiling in the vineyards of America's jury-still-out experiment in allowing everyone to vent, simultaneously, all the bloody time, I still get a thrill watching the process live and in color. As we all know, the blood runs hottest whenever there is a confluence of sin & righteousness (for me, sin is qua non). Such was the scene on June 30th, at about 1:25 PM, at 23rd Street & Central Avenue in sunny old St. Pete.
At that time and in that place a small group of preachers were gently arrested, but not for protesting the impressive gathering of GLBT-types, their friends and supporters. To be fair, the cops had made numerous tries at getting them to lower their unconditionally-loving signs (bearing such tres tolerant thoughts as "Fags go to Hell!" [ Hell in crimson - Bart would be proud], and such). But the cops had been dealt from the bottom of the deck. hard to win the hand when you're working with a pair of treys.
Seems the preachers only "sin" (and, no, I can't help it) was not in saving souls on a public thorough-fare but rather, their choice of signs; that, and the particular piece of real estate they chose on which to practice their craft. You see, the Pelican polity, in its rush to prevent a repeat of the outrageous disruption caused by these folks last year, had, this year, set up free speech zones - clever, eh?
Needless to say, the clueless crowd cheering on the cops as they brought low God's messengers was almost certainly blissfully unaware that, along with the preachers, their own rights of expression left in the paddy wagon right along with those of their antagonists; at least in st. Pete.
The "zones" - at 27th & Central - had First Amendment writ metaphorically in awning-high letters: H-U-G-E signs; ear-splitting bullhorns (slain mute by the ass-kicking band and sound system set up next to it (gays are anything but dumb), all dedicated to evangelizing the mostly oblivious throngs to mend their wicked ways, or, you-know-what (and you do). The South Carolina parsons had the bad luck to do their thing in the unfree-speech part of our fair town, uh, that is, anywhere other than 27th & Central. But it gets worse from the liberties POV. These poor guys also had run afoul of another part of this asinine statute: their signs were... too wide! Inside the f-s zone; only size limit is the capacity of the semi to haul it there. Outside the zone? body-width, max.
Now, you know, I'm not one to niggle or complain about our fine city government. They have their ways, but seem to get it right at least 51% of the time. But would it be too much to ask that the next time someone - anyone - check with an expert in this field? In the Sunshine State, all that's required is to drop a dime; really! The ACLU of Florida has so many top-flight civil liberties mavens (not to mention a passel of talented amateurs) residing here that we are in peril of replacing the Palmetto bug as the state's official pest. And the best part is, the ACLU's services are completely pro bono. In fact, the only time they charge is after they take you to court.
I eagerly await Becky Steele's "fix" for the mess St. Pete has gotten itself into. Rumour has it that she has come up with a really radical notion that will rock this city's fuddy-duddy establishment: make the city itself a free speech zone! Becky may do some hard time for that one.
Well, Gang, hope you've all enjoyed another great year of fun & frolic in the civlibs game - and that's just in Florida! Guess we'll keep bangin' away until we get it right, eh? And remember to place all seditious calls from disposable cellphones.
Nigel J. Watson 08-23-07](image308.gif)
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Opinion |