In a small victory for free speech, Allentown City Council last week allowed Lou Hershman to address them even though he is a candidate for city office. But at the same time, Allentown officials have now made it impossible for activists to protest high taxes with an April 15 "tea party."Queen City Daily's Scott Kraus tells us "activists" found city officials "too difficult to work with what with all its demands for $1 million in liability insurance and the cost of paying for police coverage." They're also required to request permission three months in advance.
In the original 1773 Boston Tea Party, protesters dressed like Indians dumped tea into Boston harbor rather than pay taxes imposed by the British. They had no liability insurance. They refused to get a permit three months in advance. But in King Edwin's Renaissance Square, things are much different. Demonstraters carrying tea bags will meekly go somewhere else lest they offend the Crown.
There's something wrong with that attitude.
Because of those 1773 tax protesters, we now have a First Amendment that specifically provides for "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." True, Allentown is named after a Tory, but free speech is supposed to apply in the Queen City, too. It includes a little more than the annual St. Paddy's Day Parade.
Clearly, the requirements being imposed by the Crown are excessive.
They are also arbitrary. I can think of several anti-war rallies in Allentown in which no liability insurance was purchased. I can think of a recent rally against Israel, complaining of incidents that had occurred only days before. There is no way anyone could have asked for a permit three months in advance.
If I drink any tea on April 15, it will be in Allentown.
29 comments:
This is the "change" we voted for. Get used to it. Our new leaders believe dissent is "unproductive."
Our area's bluer and bluer voting patterns indicate no discomfort with the requirement to be quiet and go along.
We voted for this. Now is not the time to complain. We got what we asked for and deserved.
Back on the farm with you, Bernie.
when we close down the street in center city for a neighborhood event, we have to demonstrate our liability coverage and a permit. Is it a pain in the butt, yes, but it beat teh crap out of the city getting sued and taxpayers having to pay the costs.
The irony is that i would think a group that is protesting higher taxes would be sensitive to the potential tax burden a lawsuit against the city could bring.
Bernie,
Where these other events in a park? And really who cares, the folks behind this are obviously very weak minded. Why would you want to hold a protest out in a park where no one will witness it?
I predict the events will have little turnout and be meaningless anyway.
Ask Ed if they can hold it at the Brew Works and tell him that he has five minutes for a Powerpoint
presentation.
Did you notice that the FBI is
investigating pay to play in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton? I hope they show up here next.
Fair and Square:
Maybe someone can find out if Allentown insists nonprofits that conduct "walks" or fishing contests in city parks are also required to have $1 million
in insurance.
"Where these other events in a park? And really who cares, the folks behind this are obviously very weak minded. Why would you want to hold a protest out in a park where no one will witness it?"
I see. If the people who want to exercise free speech are "weak minded" or their idea is no good, it's OK to impose this requirement.
And I do not believe this requirement is limited to parks. Another commenter talks about center city block parties. A-town has had plenty of events where no one sought liability insurance or a permit three months in advance. When a group recently demonstrated against israwli violence, they were protesting acts that had onlu occurred days before. There is no way they could have sought a permit three months in advance. That's why I say the city is being arbitrary.
The First Amendment is about as basic as things get.
"The irony is that i would think a group that is protesting higher taxes would be sensitive to the potential tax burden a lawsuit against the city could bring."
I see your point, but is it really rational to conclude that a group of Rs carrying little tea bags are going to result in havoc everywhere and lawsuits against the city? In a party where booze is served or it is known there will be a big turn out, I can see it. But it seems arbitrary here.
I really think the city has to be careful on this one. With all of these nuts running around shooting each other and their families lately this one must be played by the book.
If some gun nut shows up with his weapons and shoots some kid these people will all be crying Allentown didn't provide adequate police protection.
The funny thing is, if the group asks, the city has to tell them their rules. If they just show up the city probably wouldn't have a problem.
By directly telling these people they have the permission of the local government Allentown would be accepting responsibility.
"if the group asks, the city has to tell them their rules. If they just show up the city probably wouldn't have a problem."
I can see this possibility, too.
If there's a law, there's always a way around it. Why should the 1st amendment not be any different?
I explained to all my kids as they grew up. You are "free" and will remain so as long as you pay, pay, pay. If you miss your taxes or fines watch how quickly you lose that "privilege". Yes that's right.. "freedom" in it's everyday application is a "privilege". It hasn't been a "right" even though the constitution says so. Don't believe everything you've been taught in school. Pay your way and you will continue to enjoy the privilege of 'freedom' afforded in the 1st Amendment.
Perhaps this explains while the economy continues to go down, the jail population continues to climb upward.
This has nothing to do with either political party! Yes there are liability issues, etc... but it still boils down to what I stated in the end. PAY!
Longtime Allentown resident here. Never heard of city requiring 3 month pre-event requests. Suspect timeframe could be challenged in court.
My friend, Alfonso, had a marching protest and an event last summer. The event, UPWARD BOUND, ALLENTOWN ! did require a 1 million dollar liability insurance purchase and he did have to pay fees to the City, which was understandable due to the public and possible accidents. Previously, he had a protest march, albeit a small one, from 333 Hamilton Street to City Hall.
(see www.projectreal.piczo.com
the EVENTS section)He obtained a permit from the Allentown Works location off of Martin Luther King Drive and they explained the do's and don't's of peaceful protest marching. (I am unsure if there is a significant difference between a march and a protest when it comes to the City's regulations) Anyway, his event went without a hitch and they stood directly in front of City Hall with news media and everything. No billy clubs, dogs, and hoses were used, so I guess it was all good...
- J. Black
I just know this "3" month rule is something new. Did it come before city council? Ask a reporter. Someone could find out. Recall former President Bush appeared at Lehigh Parkway. Folks thrilled. City workers thrilled to meet sitting president. Doubt strongly he had 3 month ahead permission.
Response to J. Black.
Agree with requirement for permit but 3 month rule? Are you saying your candidate took out permit 3 months ahead?
ANONYMOUS 10:47,
For the Upward Bound Allentown event, I do believe it was requested 3 months in advance,
(it takes that long to organize and get the word out to the public) but for the march, he did it at the spur of the moment and the permit he obtained was free. Although, it was a small demonstration, (because you never know who will really show up), I assume if the turn out had of been huge, the same rules should have applied. I believe the Tax Day protest was being handled as if it were an event. There may have been confusion in City Hall unless the protest was going to be an ACTUAL event.
Alfonso's march lasted for an hour and then it was over and people went home. Maybe that is what made the difference....
- J. Black
"I see your point, but is it really rational to conclude that a group of Rs carrying little tea bags are going to result in havoc everywhere and lawsuits against the city? In a party where booze is served or it is known there will be a big turn out, I can see it. But it seems arbitrary here."
It's a festival. no booze served. some music, jugglers and dancing. By the way, the definition of arbitrary would include treating a group that is doing a block party differently than a group doing a mini-protest. Sounds like what is being sought is flexibility to allow the group to do their protest quickly, drink their tea and go home. It's a fair request, but the decision itself would be arbitrary. Why should they get that flexibility while Alfonzo and I have had to get permits to do what we want to do?
Another long-time resident here. liability insurance is completely standard, as is 3 month rule if organizers anticipate a large event. J. knows his stuff, as do A. Todd and other community organizers who have experience planning events in the city. Block parties, concerts, etc. all require same liability insurance, no matter what your political slant is.
Retired ASD teacher here.
Bottom line, if you show-up and have a protest, celebration (event) near any Allentown street, you'll be fine.
Allentown can request an insurance bond (as a means to control such events) but, in the end, nothing will happen to the protesters, celebrants who do their thing without such credential.
This is still America, no?
"Bottom line, if you show-up and have a protest, celebration (event) near any Allentown street, you'll be fine."
Correct. But most people doing celebrations or events want to have some legitimacy so they do the insurance and permit rather than placing responsibility and liability entirely on the city and her taxpayers.
The tea parties are much bigger than the usual Allentown bullcrap.
Scott Armstrong
"Father Alex" (wink, wink) is really O'Hare.
So is:
The Banker
Fly on the Wall
Kathy D
Politically Neutral
and many more...
Doesn't the angry priest have an altar boy to "mentor."
Villa (wink wink) you're an asshole, a schlep and a nobody (oopsie). Wait, no oopsie, you ARE an asshole, a schlep and a nobody.
Go back to your blog and talk to "readers" (a/k/a yourself) some more. Wink wink.
Sweet, feel free to sing "Little Willy" (a/k/a the song that plays in Mrs. Villa's head every time she sees Willy naked) anytime.
North side, east side
Little Willy, Willy wears the crown, he's the king around town
Dancing, glancing
Willy drives them silly with his star shoe shimmy shuffle down
Way past one, and feeling alright
'Cause with little Willy round they can last all night
Hey down, stay down, stay down down
'Cause little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
Up town, down town
Little Willy, Willy drives them wild with his run-around style
Inside, outside
Willy sends them silly with his star-shine shimmy shuffle smile
Mama done chase Willy down through the hall
But laugh, Willy laugh, he don't care at all
Hey down, stay down, stay down, down
'Cause little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
maybe king edwin just isnt into teabagging?
the tea parties against obama wont be needed once thex next generation to go dies off. who woudl have thought we would want them to go. tired of them and thier whining.
when you look at people 40 and under, we are much more open minded, and the new generations are even more open minded.
the world will be a better place when rush and his cronies croak.
we are just waiting for the high proportion of bigots to go.
Anon 1239pm, the generation you speak of saved this country and all it stands for. the generation you speak of is responsible for you being able to spew your trash.
You disgust me.
The Banker
Bethlehem didn't have a problem allowing demonstrations near City Hall. I woner why the Mayor of Allentown does not respect the first amendment?
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