Judge rules Capitol permit policy unconstitutional for groups under 20

[hue]

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/writers/steven_elbow/judge-rules-capitol-permit-policy-unconstitutional-for-groups-under/article_b8365cc5-c502-5286-ae81-5af66f0ec760.html

The Capitol Police permit policy is unconstitutional, a judge ruled on Monday, but only if gatherings consist of 20 or fewer people.

In his 47-page opinion and order, U.S. District Judge William Conley struck down a policy that requires groups of four or more people to obtain a permit.

The ruling pertains to the case of Michael Kissick, a UW assistant professor who sued Department of Administration Secretary Michael Huebsch and Capitol Police Chief David Erwin because he says his First Amendment rights were violated when Erwin began ordering officers to ticket those who took part in the daily Solidarity Sing Along. He claims the crackdown caused him to quit taking part in the lunchtime event, which in the past two years has drawn crowds of anywhere from a dozen to well over 100 to lampoon Republican policies in song.

Erwin, who was hired a year ago and launched a crackdown on Capitol protesters in August, has repeatedly called for Sing Along participants to get a permit.

“I think it’s a victory for speech in the Capitol,” says Larry Dupuis, and attorney for the Wisconsin ACLU, who is representing Kissick.

But, he added, ”Obviously we were hoping for a bigger number than 20.”

[Scuba]

1. "... we were hoping for a bigger number than 20." Yeah, like infinity. Why should it be limited ..

... beyond what fire code space/exit criteria call for?

[mokawanis]

2. Really glad to hear this

Maybe Erwin and Walker should obtain copies of the constitution and have someone read it out loud to them. A couple of my friends are active with the Solidarity Singers and they're very happy with Judge Conley's ruling.