Permit likely for neo-Nazi rally at Gettysburg battlefield

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.ydr.com/ci_15064833

Aryan Nations plans to hold June rally at Gettysburg battlefield.

By TIM PRUDENTE
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 05/11/2010 10:00:46 PM EDT


A permit will likely be granted for neo-Nazi group Aryan Nations to hold a rally at the Gettysburg National Military Park, according to park spokeswoman Katie Lawhon.

Aryan Nations -- which identifies itself as a white-supremacist organization -- applied for the permit last week, and park officials are expected to approve the request, Lawhon said. The rally would take place on the park's lawn west of the Cyclorama Center, she added.

"Because the land is publicly owned, we're obligated to make it publicly available for exercising First Amendment rights," she said.

Although the approval is likely, Lawhon says the park doesn't support the views of Aryan Nations, which has been called a "continuing terrorist threat" by the FBI.