Occupy KC hopes police will waive cost of protest

[xmas74]

Protesters from the Occupy Kansas City movement want to march on downtown streets Dec. 30.

But they don’t have the $4,100 fee to pay police officers to shut down traffic near Ninth and Main streets to ensure their safety. So an attorney representing the group asked the Board of Police Commissioners on Friday for an indigency waiver, prompting this discussion:

Whose budget is tighter: The movement’s or the city’s?



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/16/3323816/occupy-kc-hopes-police-will-waive.html#ixzz1gqHvJYbe

[MindMover]

1. I wondered when this was going to happen, the authorities charging citizens to protest....

it had to come to this point.....

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41483660@N04/6478048523/" title="aviary (2) by pbmus, on Flickr"><img src="" width="500" height="309" alt="aviary (2)"></a>

[xmas74]

3. The movement in KC has been so quiet and

peaceful. Little to no reports have been made about it until now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Up to now, they've had a pretty good relationship with the police

It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[xmas74]

4. That's what I thought too.

In the article Sly James even made a comment about how good the relations have been so far. Of course, if you read the comments...

Don't even read them. We both live in the area and know exactly what they say.

[virgogal]

5. Just curious---do they charge for street closings for charity runs etc?

[xmas74]

6. Now that is an interesting question.

I wonder about that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Yes I believe they do

And they sure have enough of those here in KC.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. Why must we Americans ask permission to have a protest? This is insane! nt

[MindMover]

8. we have always had to ask permission, just not charged for that now called, privilege.....nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. It's horrible, isn't it? nt

[MindMover]

15. It is what it is, not horrible......horrible is sandusky......and others that manipulate to injure

the spirit....

[xmas74]

12. They don't have to ask permission

Instead, they have to pay for the right to do so.

[MindMover]

17. you are right, it is not permission, it is called a permit to protest......nt

[backscatter712]

18. So only the rich and those the rich manipulate have the right to protest.

Yep. Gotta love the Land of the Free (TM)...

[Yo_Mama]

26. That's not true

No one has the right to just take over the streets and block traffic as a means of protest. From the little information given, it appears that the city's ordinance is well within constitutional limits.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Time,+Place,+and+Manner+Restrictions

[Sarah Ibarruri]

20. I know. Isn't that the same thing? Or even worse? nt

[Yo_Mama]

25. Time, Place and Manner restrictions have always been allowed under the First Amendment

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Time,+Place,+and+Manner+Restrictions

The issue is whether this is the least restrictive manner of serving a significant government interest. If streets or public areas must be blocked off in order to protect public safety, the police will be involved. Most municipalities have ordinances that govern this procedure. As long as they are reasonable and apply equally to any applicant, the courts generally uphold them.

[backscatter712]

9. Give them a simple choice:

The city can spend $4,100 to allow Occupy KC to protest without charge in a civilized way...

or Occupy KC can take to the streets anyways, and the city will have to spend far more than $4,100 to bring out riot cops and deal with street blockades...

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. I like this. nt

[xmas74]

13. Problem is that it's been so peaceful here

so far and there are people out there waiting for any misstep.

I really hope it doesn't come to that.

[JoeyT]

22. +1

I predict a great deal of "concern" happening here if they do it.

[RedRocco]

16. maybe if there are some sympathetic police that can volunteer for traffic control off-duty ? n/t

[unkachuck]

19. What?...."...they don’t have the $4,100 fee to pay police officers..."

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government, after paying a Petition Fee, for a redress of grievances."

....oh, there it is...."...after paying a Petition Fee,..."

[Modern_Matthew]

21. Stop trying to work within the system and do it anyway...

It looks so pathetic trying to obtain permits and go to court to fight for what is already your right.

[Seedersandleechers]

24. +10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[T S Justly]

23. K&R (nt)