Boston "Free Speech" zone question

[wellstone_democrat]

I understand why Bush* (etc.) wants to pen up Americans like animals in his own appearance venues, and even why they "need" to do it for the Democratic convention (to mask their own desire to cage all of NYC if they can) but...here is what I would like to see someone ask publicly:

Reportedly the "zone" is not simply as secure as a prison but has features that not only don't allow the targets of protest to have to spoil their wonderful convention memories with dissent, but neither can an visual records be made. What excuse is being used for HIDING the protestors from view?

[emulatorloo]

1. More Questions - Suddenly the Media "wakes up" to Free Speech Zones?

don't get me wrong, I think the concept is horrid.

but somehow the media never cared about Free Speech Zones when it involved Bush or Republicans. We never heard about them.

Now that the Dem Convention is upon us, they just can't get enough of showing the Free Speech Zone.

So what gives?

Other questions to ask:

Who picked the site?
Who is responsible for the cage-like environ?

Dems? City of Boston? Repug Mitt Romney, Gov of Mass? Dept of Homeland Security?

(I'm reposting this from another thread here re constitutionality of zones:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2040956

)

[tom_paine]

5. It doesn't matter. Just more of the Orwellianism hardwired into Imperial

Amerika.

It boils down quite simply to this:

Bushevik/Imperial Free Speech Zone: Silence. Hints subtle and not so subtle that "those people deserved it, anyway"

Democratic (yecch!) Free Speech Zone: ALERT! ALERT! Amerika under threat! Look what these DemocRATS are doing! Don't they practice what they preach? Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

MY GOD, do I want to live in a Free Country with a Free Press again. BushPutin Managed Democracy deosn;t cut it with it's Fake Illusion of Freedom!

But I have nowhere to go. I cannot run back to Europe, as a Jew I know if things got bad there it would be worse than here anyway, even though Europe is the last home of the Free World at this point in history.

[Caution]

2. they are NOT hidden from view

The issue is that they do not have direct line of site with the entrance to the Fleet center. They are in full view of anyone anywhere near there (the area is HUGE). They aren't hidden behind a wall or anything. In fact there is a stage being erected with a sound system expressly for use by protestors.

Either way, this "free speech zone" stuff is bullshit and is clearly unConstitutional.

It should be noted that the Boston Police are in charge of security along with the Secret Service and it isn't up to the DNC how this is approached.

[truthspeaker]

3. But nothing prevents the DNC from condemning it or requesting changes

But so far they've been silent.

[Atman]

7. No way...two layers of fence block cameras

Look at the video...with two layers of chain-link, plus Jersey Barricades, you won't see much. A camera must be looking almost directly through the fence straight on to actually "see" much other than a crowd of fenced in people.

Caged animals. Prisoners. Call them what you will, it is difficult to imagine what the GOP governor and the police were thinking the protestors might do at a DEMOCRAT convention that warrants such an enclosure. You can almost make the argument for such a pen at the GOP convention, but who on earth is being "protected" here? Just the GOP's ego, is my guess.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. and what about the "netting" that will be drapped over the outter fence?

[wellstone_democrat]

15. That's my point---the blocking through netting

and, in one thing I heard this a.m. it seemed to indicate possible plastic sheeting as well.

If "zones" are about safety my memory is that the original ruling about them and family-planning clinics was that physical proximity to the target of protest was not necessary but that the ability of the protestors to be seen and heard by the target was the essence of the right.

I know exactly how they can argue "security"---esp at Fleet Center which I know well---but, what I want addressed is the blatant attempt to hide protestors from cameras and from the public.

[kentuck]

4. I would suggest going in there the day before with bolt cutters...

and cutting a hole in the fence, near one of the steel posts so it will be camouflaged, and wire it back together with small wire. Then open up the hole when everyone is herded into the place, just in case someone needs to "escape"...

[truthspeaker]

11. I like the way you think!

[Atman]

13. Yeah, try walking around Boston with bolt cutters these days!

You'll get a private pen all right, and it won't be a "Free Speech Zone."

[TeacherCreature]

6. let the freepers see what it is like to be penned far away

[Atman]

9. The freepers aren't the ones being herded up

While dem supporters get to roam free. That only happens at Bush event, where supporters get free reign while detractors get locked up. Here, it is for the GOP's protection again, because the video cameras will all be there, and the GOP controlled media can severely limit the chance of showing anti-Bush protestors on camera. Try letting them loose...the thousands of Bush detractors would so outnumber the handful of old ladies that would come out to support Bush, it wouldn't even be funny. The GOP can't risk us seeing that on teevee.

[misanthrope]

8. This is abhorrent...

...and a brilliant example of the reason why many feel there is not enough difference between the major political parties in this country.

[Bandit]

10. This is super.. What a way to make national headlines about such a

serious subject. Most people have never heard of such a thing. Maybe the Democrats will catch a little flack about this but if it wakes America up a little bit then it is worth it totally. I don't care who does it it is wrong. If enough people get really riled up over it then maybe Bush* will think twice about establishing such a thing in the future. Good way to get this in the news. Smart move I think.

[LordActon]

14. fast forward

Eventually free speech zones will become permanant structures where you go to speak your mind to someone sitting behind a curtain. This person will set you straight in your ways and send you on your way.

They'll hand out little American flags on the way out the door.

[newyawker99]

16. Hi LordActon!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: