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Tuesday, 08/07/01

ACLU says it will protect rights of
protesters on both sides of tax debate

Be careful today if you're going to the state Capitol to make
yourself heard.

Emotions are high on both sides of the state spending issue. Don't
over-react verbally or respond violently. Particularly if you're an
anti-tax protester, remember that anything you do will be
magnified several times beyond what actually happened.

So be careful, but also be aware that you may have an additional
ally. The ACLU of Tennessee � not the group envisioned as
defending conservatives and their causes � has said the following:

''As the tax debate continues, we would like to hear from parties
on either side of the debate who feel that their rights of expression
or association are being violated.

''The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to the United States
Constitution protects the rights of all voices to be heard as well as
the right of people to gather peacefully and ask their government
to take action regarding their concerns. Government can place
reasonable restrictions on the manner in which we express
ourselves but not the message we express.''

A copy of this statement was sent to the governor and legislative
leaders.

While the statement could have been much stronger, it did send a
needed message that the right of Tennesseans to express
themselves to their government will be monitored for infringement.

In particular, police and state trooper conduct should be watched
closely. That's because news media coverage orchestrated the
past several days by the governor's office has portrayed people
exercising their First Amendment rights as a threat. And to further
its intimidation of citizens, the governor's office issued guidelines
on how protesters should exercise their rights.