Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler to federal government: revoke permit for Portland alt-right event
This raises some interesting constitutional issues. What do you all think about this?
I remember going to one of the ACLU resistance events a few months ago, and they clearly said they defend the rights of everyone and that we may not agree with the positions of some they defend.
I live in Portland, and what Mayor Wheeler said is so true. "Our city is in mourning, our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these can only events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation." I can see this from both sides. I don't know the answer. I wonder if there is any legal position under circumstances such as this where the constitutional argument could be suspended for public safely or ...this seems like a slippery slope.
The Oregonian/OregonLive
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has asked the federal government to revoke a permit for what he described as an alt-right demonstration planned Sunday at Terry Schrunk Plaza across from City Hall.
Wheeler also said the city will not issue permits for such events, and appealed to the organizers to cancel them. He asked the federal government not to issue a permit for a second event, an anti-Muslim march planned for June 10th.
"Our city is in mourning, our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these can only events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation," Wheeler wrote on Facebook, referring to the stabbing attack on a MAX train Friday that left two men dead and a third wounded. "I urge them to ask their supporters to stay away from Portland."
snip
The purpose of the June 4th free speech rally in downtown Portland is to "bring back strength and courage to those who believe in freedom," according to the organizer's Facebook page. Vancouver-based Patriot Prayer has held other "free speech rallies," including one in Montavilla last month where the suspect in the Friday MAX train killings – Jeremy Joseph Christian – attended and reportedly yelled racial epithets and "Die Muslims!"
Event organizer Joey Gibson has distanced himself from Christian, and told The Oregonian/OregonLive "we were clearly asking (Christian) to leave" the April event.
Wheeler's statement that the city would deny permits to alt-right demonstrators could raise constitutional issues. According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, governments can require permits for peaceful protests as long as they "treat all groups the same."
"The government cannot impose permit restrictions or deny a permit simply because it does not like the message of a certain speaker or group," according to the ACLU of Oregon's website.
When asked whether Wheeler believes his refusal to grant permits is constitutional, spokesman Michael Cox responded that the mayor "believes it's right."
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/ted_wheeler_to_federal_governm.html#incart_big-photo
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On one hand, the alt right can go eat a steaming bag of dog shit every time they bring up the "free speech" argument. Because what they want isn't free speech at all. What they want is the right to hate and discriminate against anyone who's not a white male. They're treading on a very dangerous slippery slope, and they'll lose every time. On the other hand I could see a constitutional crisis brewing if the mayor is trying to silence them. Decisions, decisions. 
