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Occupier Fights
For First Amendment Rights of Protesters in Court
By Robert "Rob" Redding Jr.
Editor & Publisher
ATLANTA, Feb. 24,
2012, 3:50 p.m.
- A Washington, D.C. man, who
has been told to stay away from a an Occupy D.C. camp, is fighting for
his day in court.
On Monday, Feb. 27, Wade Simmons, (through
his attorney) will present oral arguments in court contesting a
stay away order imposed on him. The order keeps him away from
Freedom Plaza. Simmons contends that such an order is a violation of
his First Amendment rights to freedom speech and assembly.
Simmons has been with the Occupy movement since mid-October. At
McPherson Square, he is an active member of the Occupy Media Team,
the Black Progressive Caucus, Action & New Economy Committees,
according to a news release. He is also a respected youth basketball
coach in the District.
Story
continues below ↓
On Feb. 5, Simmons was arrested during a morning police raid
on Freedom Plaza, according to a news release. He was charged with felon
threats on the police. The charge was later reduced in court to "attempted
threats."
On Feb. 6, during his arrangement Simmons attorney challenged the governments
request to ban Simmons from Freedom Plaza, according to a news release. The
judge maintained the ban calling it a "cooling off" period. The judge, through
court documents, contends that the banned was never meant to be long-term.
However, in court document Simmons states: "It is not against the law in
this country to anger police officers."
"The government is purposely using these tactics, banning protesters from
protesting spots as a means of limiting the effects of the movement," says
Simmons. "It is a terrible violation of the First Amendment. Moreover, it could
become standard practice with any protest movement, not just Occupy. We all need
to be concerned."
Oral Arguments will be heard in front of Judge Juliet McKenna, Monday, Feb. 27,
2012.
(Simmons is the Money Editor for
ReddingNewsReview.com)
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