Trump Administration Decides Free Speech Isn't Free: Publishes Plans to Tax Protests and Close White House Sidewalk to Protests

Source: Global Research
Published: Sep 13, 2018
Author: Global Research
Post Date: 2018-09-14 19:42:00 by Deckard
Views: 20417

(Global Research) In a major reversal of long-standing federal policy, the Trump Administration has issued a new plan to charge demonstrators for the right to use our public parks, sidewalk, and streets that are on federal land in the nation’s capital for First Amendment activity.  Among other areas, this includes the National Mall, Lafayette Park, the Lincoln Memorial and the sidewalk in front of the Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue.   

The federal Pay-to-Protest in DC plan includes charging demonstrators for the cost of barricades and fencing erected at the discretion of police; salaries of personnel deployed to monitor the protest; trash removal and sanitation charges; permit application fees and costs that the government will assess on “harm to the turf.”

In addition, the Department of Interior under Ryan Zinke has quietly moved to close the iconic White House sidewalk to protest. The National Park Service’s recent regulatory filing shows plans to close the sidewalk to demonstrations leaving only a narrow pedestrian passageway. The Nixon administration notoriously ordered buses to surround the White House during Vietnam War protests, blocking access to the sidewalk.  Now the Trump administration wants to issue a regulatory change to essentially block all protests from the sidewalk permanently.

These plans were contained in a 94-page regulatory proposal that was published in the federal register by the National Park Service, under the Department of the Interior. The public has until October 15, 2018, to register their opposition.

“Never before in history have protestors been required to pay to demonstrate on federal land in the nation’s capital. This is a protest tax on the exercise of First Amendment rights intended to burden and suppress dissent,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, constitutional rights lawyer and executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.

“Free speech is not free if you have to pay for it. The exercise of free speech is a fundamental right and this measure is anti-democratic at its core,” stated Carl Messineo, constitutional rights lawyer and legal director of the PCJF.

The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund has launched a legal challenge and grassroots organizing campaign to stop this plan, including a petition in opposition to the plan here.

Click here to read an OpEd by the PCJF’s Mara Verheyden-Hilliard and Carl Messineo in the Washington Post.

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#1: Liberator    To: Deckard (#0)

“Never before in history have protestors been required to pay to demonstrate on federal land in the nation’s capital. This is a protest tax on the exercise of First Amendment rights intended to burden and suppress dissent,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, constitutional rights lawyer and executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.

"Never before in history!!!" (Lotta that going around -- not that YOU care about it.)

Chyeah, the nerve.

I guess that means your SJW/BLM/Antifa allies and thugs won't be able to hijack the events of those WITH permits...OR punch out and bait Trump Supporters and Pro-Lifers?

I'm all broken up about this proposal. Will you now contribute to the ACLU/SPLC "GO FUND ME projects??

*sob, sniffle*

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 19:48:47   Reply   Private Reply


#2: Deckard    To: Liberator (#1)

Always a pleasure to read your jingoistic posts.

It's a shame though that you are unable to grasp the First Amendment infringements this poses.

Funny thing - you'd be howling like a banshee if Obama had done something like this.

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 19:52:21   Reply   Private Reply


#3: Liberator    To: Deckard (#2)

Always a pleasure to read your jingoistic posts.

Yeah. "MAGA" is obscene, isn't it?

Hey -- we still have a 1A that entitles you to sit your azz on the political fence as propagandists have their way with you.

NEWSFLASH: Fascists are trying to twist the truth and destroy the USA

It's a shame though that you are unable to grasp the First Amendment infringements this poses.

Funny thing - you'd be howling like a banshee if Obama had done something like this.

Here's an even funnier thing; IF 0bama did it, by default it'd HELP fascist cause AND restrict REAL freedom.

The 1A was severely restricted during 0bama's 8 years. That's right -- for EIGHT YEARS, his LE, DoJ, IRS, and his kangaroo courts made sure of it (You missed all that, huh?

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 19:58:58   Reply   Private Reply


#4: CZ82    To: Liberator (#3)

(You missed all that, huh?

Missed no, ignored definitely.

I love it when Trump trolls the tards. lol...

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:04:42   Reply   Private Reply


#5: Deckard    To: Liberator (#3)

IF 0bama did it, by default it'd HELP fascist cause AND restrict REAL freedom.

Yet - when Trump does it - according to you he's a hero.

Yeah, now that's funny.

The 1A was severely restricted during 0bama's 8 years. That's right -- for EIGHT YEARS, his LE, DoJ, IRS, and his kangaroo courts made sure of it.

Yeah - you seem to forget the "Free Speech Zones" instituted by Bush.

No president has a monopoly on silencing free speech.

Trump is no different in that respect.

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 20:09:54   Reply   Private Reply


#6: Hondo68    To: Deckard, Liberator (#2)

The Trumpkins loved it when the protests were against Obama, but now that they're against Trump, you're an ANTIFA commie!

Closing the streets in front of the WH & other gov facilities is a clear violation of the 1st amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances.

I recall the LBJ war protests at the WH in '67-'68. Trump has proven that he's a bigger ahole than LBJ!

Contrary to popular sheeple opinion, you don't need no stinking permits to protest.

Hondo68 posted on 2018-09-14 20:13:23   Reply   Private Reply


#7: CZ82    To: hondo68 (#6)

I recall the LBJ war protests at the WH in '67-'68. Trump has proven that he's a bigger ahole than LBJ!

Then you should remember that LBJ used to expose himself to people and rubbed his junk on them, right??

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:15:57   Reply   Private Reply


#8: Fred Mertz    To: Deckard (#0)

This is a protest tax on the exercise of First Amendment rights intended to burden and suppress dissent,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard...

I agree with her statement. I used to attend some FReaker protests many moons ago against Slick Willy. Made a good opportunity to visit friends in the area after protesting for a few hours.

Fred Mertz posted on 2018-09-14 20:22:15   Reply   Private Reply


#9: Liberator    To: Deckard (#5)

Deckard, we've had our differences, but I always considered you fundamentally a sincere truth and liberty seeker.

I'm going to give you a mulligan in this case. Only because I have a feeling you're distracted,succumbing to some un-revealed external pressure or influence.

This issue is is slam-dunk case IF ONLY you would focus on context and a fair and honest assessment and overview of BOTH respective agendas of 0bama vs Trump.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:23:44   Reply   Private Reply


#10: Liberator    To: Deckard (#5)

No president has a monopoly on silencing free speech.

Trump is no different in that respect.

Erroneous equation. Of course you would answer 5 = 2 + 2.

:-(

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:25:06   Reply   Private Reply


#11: Fred Mertz    To: CZ82 (#7)

Then you should remember that LBJ used to expose himself to people and rubbed his junk on them, right??

I never heard that unless you're speaking from experience.

Fred Mertz posted on 2018-09-14 20:25:14   Reply   Private Reply


#12: Liberator    To: hondo68 (#6)

I recall the LBJ war protests at the WH in '67-'68. Trump has proven that he's a bigger ahole than LBJ!

Your devolution of judgement and succumbing to propaanda has been one of the saddest things I've seen in this (or LP) forum in this case.

I don't know that you're redeemable.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:26:45   Reply   Private Reply


#13: Deckard    To: Liberator (#9)

I have a feeling you're distracted,succumbing to some un-revealed external pressure or influence.

With all due respect - spare me your bogus psycho-babble bullshit, OK sport?

If you can't see the First Amendment ramifications here, then you're the one who needs help.

If it's bad when Obama suppresses political speech, why is it good when Trump does it?

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 20:27:39   Reply   Private Reply


#14: BorisY    To: Deckard (#0)

AT charloTTesville

The lefT sTarTed a rioT

Killed someone

Then blamed Trump

They should all do jail Time

Love
boris

BorisY posted on 2018-09-14 20:27:46   Reply   Private Reply


#15: Liberator    To: Fred Mertz, CZ82 (#11)

Fred, Unc may laugh. Or NOT. Or may not decide to clean your clock with that statement/joke.

Good luck wit dat.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:28:24   Reply   Private Reply


#16: Liberator    To: CZ82, hondo68, sneakypete (#7)

Then you should remember that LBJ used to expose himself to people and rubbed his junk on them, right??

That's these crusaders' problem: AMNESIA. (Or utter ignorance.)

LBJ and his reptilian ego contributed to HOW MANY deaths in Nam?? (not to mention murders of political opponents??)

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:30:23   Reply   Private Reply


#17: Liberator    To: Deckard (#13)

With all due respect - spare me your bogus psycho-babble bullshit, OK sport?

Sorry. I call it as I see it.

You've sold out.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:31:03   Reply   Private Reply


#18: CZ82    To: Fred Mertz (#11)

I never heard that unless you're speaking from experience.

The right search engine may expand your horizons (knowledge) Google won't.

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:33:57   Reply   Private Reply


#19: Liberator    To: Deckard (#13)

If you can't see the First Amendment ramifications here, then you're the one who needs help.

I see it alright; As protection FOR CONSERVTIVES whose liberty's and free speech rights are ubiquitous QUASHED by PAID, ORGANIZED Disruptors, like Antifa-Dems mercs, BLM mercs, and other PAID disruptors of conservative venues.

Btw, you mean you have been oblivious to Craigslist hires? If YOU have missed all that, my medical license has lapsed ;-) I can't help your amnesia.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:36:58   Reply   Private Reply


#20: Hondo68    To: CZ82 (#7)

remember that LBJ used to expose himself to people and rubbed his junk on them

You must have been more buzzed, than I was.

Hondo68 posted on 2018-09-14 20:37:01   Reply   Private Reply


#21: CZ82    To: Liberator (#16)

That's these crusaders' problem: AMNESIA. (Or utter ignorance.)

Some folks love to believe their heroes are as pure as the driven snow, if they'd open their eyes they'd go blind with the truth.

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:37:08   Reply   Private Reply


#22: Justified    To: Deckard (#0)

I guess you forgot when the veterans came to town and Obummer closed down everything in an act of hatred to our veterans!

Justified posted on 2018-09-14 20:39:30   Reply   Private Reply


#23: Liberator    To: BorisY, Deckard (#14)

AT charloTesville

The lefT sTarTed a rioT

Killed someone

Then blamed Trump

They should all do jail Time

+100

YES INDEED!

Both sides at Charlottesville even took the SAME BUS to the organized STUNT.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:39:33   Reply   Private Reply


#24: Justified    To: CZ82, Liberator (#4)

I love it when Trump trolls the tards. lol...

Me Three!

Justified posted on 2018-09-14 20:40:53   Reply   Private Reply


#25: Deckard    To: Liberator (#17)

You've sold out.

Nice job of projecting there pal.

My political views have not changed, and I'm sorry if it disturbs you that I am not going all in for Trump and drinking the kool-aid like you are.

If anyone has "sold out" it's you. At one time you could see behind the curtain and even mocked those who put "party over principle".

Now look at you - just another member of the Cult Of Personality.

Let me make this clear to you - I do not hate Trump - he has done some good things indeed.

But I am not going to remain silent when something is amiss with him and his administration.

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 20:41:06   Reply   Private Reply


#26: Deckard    To: Justified (#22)

I guess you forgot when the veterans came to town and Obummer closed down everything in an act of hatred to our veterans!

Yeah I get it - Obama suppressing speech = BAD!

Trump suppressing speech - GOOD!

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 20:42:40   Reply   Private Reply


#27: Liberator    To: CZ82 (#21)

Some folks love to believe their heroes are as pure as the driven snow, if they'd open their eyes they'd go blind with the truth.

As we know, nobody's perfect. But these people are so used to kneepads and confusing abuse for "love", I think they actually fear the Truth. Because...it exposes their entire value system as counterfeit, undermining everything they ever thought was "right". Its easier to embrace their delusions and deceptions even tighter.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:44:12   Reply   Private Reply


#28: Liberator    To: Deckard (#26)

Yeah I get it - Obama suppressing speech = BAD!

Trump suppressing speech - GOOD!

Hey -- it's a start!

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:45:49   Reply   Private Reply


#29: CZ82    To: Justified (#22)

I guess you forgot when the veterans came to town and Obummer closed down everything in an act of hatred to our veterans!

Didn't that little sack of schitt cordon off all of the memorials/parks so nobody could visit/see them??

And then some of the vets said phuck that and moved them out of the way and went about their business.

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:47:58   Reply   Private Reply


#30: Deckard    To: Liberator (#28)

Trump suppressing speech - GOOD!

Hey -- it's a start!

And what happens when another Democrat is elected President - maybe even outlawing protests altogether?? Will you finally realize that the First Amendment is not a partisan issue?

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 20:49:02   Reply   Private Reply


#31: Liberator    To: Justified (#22)

I guess you forgot when the veterans came to town and Obummer closed down everything in an act of hatred to our veterans!

Yup. In your face slap in vets face.

He spitefully shut down their parks and anything that spoke to honoring vets. 0bama screwed America so often, so much, that it's hard to remember all the spiteful ways and occasions he stuck it to us all (and by "us", I mean REAL Americans, the Patriots he and Big-Foot made it clear they regard with contempt.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:49:58   Reply   Private Reply


#32: Liberator    To: Deckard (#30)

And what happens when another Democrat is elected President - maybe even outlawing protests altogether??

CW3

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:50:30   Reply   Private Reply


#33: Liberator    To: Deckard (#30)

Will you finally realize that the First Amendment is not a partisan issue?

LMAO.

AND...you're serious?? Just...wow.

It's like you vacationed on some other planet from 2009 - 2016.

Newsflash: All the Tea Party leaders were...AUDITED. The group was forced to disband. You call that "non-partisan"??

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:52:00   Reply   Private Reply


#34: Justified    To: Deckard (#26)

To: Justified

I guess you forgot when the veterans came to town and Obummer closed down everything in an act of hatred to our veterans!

Yeah I get it - Obama suppressing speech = BAD!

Trump suppressing speech - GOOD!

Its politics. Get use to it.

If one side is always playing by the rules and the other isn't then what good are the rules? Basically one side wins unfairly and the other side loses by playing it fair. How does that help Amerika?

All those groups are just Soro's lackeys so why worry to much.

Justified posted on 2018-09-14 20:52:25   Reply   Private Reply


#35: Justified    To: CZ82 (#29)

Didn't that little sack of schitt cordon off all of the memorials/parks so nobody could visit/see them?? And then some of the vets said phuck that and moved them out of the way and went about their business.

Yep!

Obama is probably the most vile president in American history.

Justified posted on 2018-09-14 20:53:48   Reply   Private Reply


#36: CZ82    To: Liberator (#27)

I think they actually fear the Truth.

It has to be very depressing, when they realize they've been fed schitt for so long and they believed it...

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:54:58   Reply   Private Reply


#37: Deckard    To: Justified, Liberator, CZ82 (#34)

Gotta love the rampant hypocrisy displayed on this thread.

When did suppressing political speech of your opponents become a Conservative ideal?

Deckard posted on 2018-09-14 20:57:39   Reply   Private Reply


#38: Liberator    To: CZ82, Justified, Deckard (#29)

Didn't that little sack of schitt cordon off all of the memorials/parks so nobody could visit/see them??

BINGO.

The MSM said ZIP.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:58:15   Reply   Private Reply


#39: Liberator    To: Deckard (#37)

Cut the propaganda/MSNBC-type of rhetoric. History does NOT support your delusion. Sorry.

Liberator posted on 2018-09-14 20:59:16   Reply   Private Reply


#40: CZ82    To: Justified (#35)

Obama is probably the most vile president in American history.

And the dumbest, that's how he got the nickname TOTUS. (Teleprompter Of The United States).

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-14 20:59:26   Reply   Private Reply


#41: Justified    To: Deckard, Liberator, CZ82 (#37)

More like our side always murders itself to claim we are virtuous but in the end we just let the Regressives get away with murder!

We have had it! No more mister nice guy! This is our last stand and if we fail western society and the world will plunge into hell! So excuse me if I don't buy we have to play fair anymore.

Justified posted on 2018-09-14 21:04:33   Reply   Private Reply


#42: GrandIsland    To: Liberator (#19)

I see it alright; As protection FOR CONSERVTIVES whose liberty's and free speech rights are ubiquitous QUASHED by PAID, ORGANIZED Disruptors, like Antifa-Dems mercs, BLM mercs, and other PAID disruptors of conservative venues.

That needs to be stated again. Spot on.

Liberator~ “I see it alright; As protection FOR CONSERVTIVES whose liberty's and free speech rights are ubiquitous QUASHED by PAID, ORGANIZED Disruptors, like Antifa-Dems mercs, BLM mercs, and other PAID disruptors of conservative venues.”

We are also being silenced by fake news... as the fake news propagates antifa, queers, Black LIES... and the myth called equality.

GrandIsland posted on 2018-09-14 22:50:07   Reply   Private Reply


#43: CZ82    To: hondo68 (#20)

You must have been more buzzed, than I was.

Do you remember when that book came out written by some Secret Service guy about how bad Hilliary and Bubba were in the WH? Well it got me to thinking I wonder what all else is out there on other Presidents. So I started doing searches on some of them and that info popped up in a couple of different articles. I had heard rumors before that LBJ was a bit of a perv but I had no idea, talk about hilarious.

CZ82 posted on 2018-09-15 08:01:05   Reply   Private Reply


#44: sneakypete    To: Liberator (#16)

LBJ and his reptilian ego contributed to HOW MANY deaths in Nam?? (not to mention murders of political opponents??)

All of them?

sneakypete posted on 2018-09-15 10:11:52   Reply   Private Reply


#45: sneakypete    To: Justified (#35)

Obama is probably the most vile president in American history.

He just isn't that smart. In a free world where people advanced according to their abilities instead of their skin color,Obomber would be lucky to have a job carrying Bubba Bill's luggage when it comes to vile.

And Bubba Bill was only one of the most recent. King Franklin did worse,but the press covered for him in a era where they could get away with it better than they could with Bubba Bill. Back then the press OWNED all the information allowed to circulate other than private letters between individuals. No internet,no independent media.

In more recent times,there was LBJ. Nowhere near as smooth as Slick Willie,Bubba looks like a school boy compared to LBJ.

sneakypete posted on 2018-09-15 10:18:21   Reply   Private Reply


#46: sneakypete    To: CZ82 (#40)

Obama is probably the most vile president in American history.

And the dumbest,

Only because Goober lost in a squeaker. That boy is D..U..M dumb. Even his mother said he was too stupid to train.

sneakypete posted on 2018-09-15 10:19:51   Reply   Private Reply


#47: Justified    To: sneakypete (#45)

This is why you must listen to your elders! Perspective of life.

I think it was all hilary and Bill was just the vehicle to get them where she wanted. They probably had some agreement that he could sleep around as long as she ran the show. I also do not believe Chelsea is his kid.

Justified posted on 2018-09-15 10:36:53   Reply   Private Reply


#48: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#0)

“Free speech is not free if you have to pay for it."

The speech is free. The cleanup is not.

misterwhite posted on 2018-09-15 10:53:54   Reply   Private Reply


#49: sneakypete    To: Justified (#47)

I think it was all hilary and Bill was just the vehicle to get them where she wanted.

Not a chance. She is semi-smart,but has the personality of a rattlesnake in heat. If you want to see how smart she really is,look at how she ran her campaigns. It is an exaggeration to claim she won the one in NY because it was just given to her. Every other one she has lost.

Bubba is both brilliant and charming. He married her because he needed a bag lady to collect the payments and make him seem innocent. He also needed a wife and child for political purposes..

I despise him,but Bubba is one of the smartest presidents we have ever had.

sneakypete posted on 2018-09-15 11:23:37   Reply   Private Reply


#50: Liberator    To: sneakypete (#44)

LBJ and his reptilian ego contributed to HOW MANY deaths in Nam?? (not to mention murders of political opponents??)

All of them?

Need it be all?

Who made the Big Decision NOT to execute the war to win?

Who made the Big Decision to tell the VC American positions? When they might attack?

Who made the Big Decision to escalate the VN war??

Liberator posted on 2018-09-15 11:47:03   Reply   Private Reply