NC WI war protester sues city of Wausau

[Broca]

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhopinion/284562971810953.shtml

Sat, Mar 19, 2005

Wallschlaeger
reminds us of importance of free speech


Local war protester Mike Wallschlaeger is preparing to sue the city of Wausau for what he says is a pattern of "ongoing harassment" against him.

The 41-year-old Mosinee man has filed a $20,000 claim against Wausau, which almost certainly will be denied and lead to court action. And it is hard to argue with Wallschlaeger's contention.

In fact, $20,000 might turn out to be a small price to pay, given the city's treatment of Wallschlaeger. It's certainly enough to command the attention of city leaders - and other municipalities that might be tempted to shut down free speech in the interest of expediency or convenience.

Let us hope the case does just that, and reinforces for everyone the principle that authorities are required by the Constitution to protect free speech - even speech that is critical of the government - not to stifle it.

As other protesters gathered in downtown Wausau's 400 block and elsewhere this weekend to speak out against the Iraq war that began two years ago, that principle and the city's adherence to it was tested.

The most recent conflict between Wallschlaeger and Wausau - the conflict that provoked the claim - occurred earlier this year when a motorist complained to police about the Mosinee man's protest. Wallschlaeger was picketing near the Marathon County Courthouse carrying a sign that read "This war is Bushit."
Police consulted with City Attorney Bill Nagle, who advised them to cite Wallschlaeger. Officers did, charging Wallschlaeger with violating the city's public obscenity ordinance.

Nagle dismissed the charge after the outrageiously misguided citation made national news. Legal experts said the charge was a clear violation of Wallschlaeger's First Amendment right to free speech.

Wallschlaeger also pointed to two other incidents in his claim: In March 2003, he was assaulted during a demonstration and an officer told Wallschlaeger he would not protect him as long as Wallschlaeger continued carrying an upside-down American flag. Officers also failed to protect his property on another occasion, when first lady Laura Bush visited Wausau and someone vandalized Wallschlaeger's protest signs as police watched, Wallschlaeger says.

If those claims are true, they're indefensible. And they must be a lesson.

As we've said before, Wallschlaeger's methods and messages aren't terribly clever or persuasive. He often goes out of his way to offend in efforts to bring attention to his cause.

But that's his right - a right upon which our democracy is founded.

[goddess40]

1. He plans on donating the money to the peace process

and other worthy causes.

The latest crap the city pulled was to tell us we couldn't have our signs stuck in the ground (snow bank), they made some poor cop bring us a copy of the ordinance that was about rummage sale signs and other non-attended postings. Mike already had the discussion with the chief of police and he's OK with our signs as long as we take them when we leave. About 15 minutes after the first cop leave three squads show up, mind you that there are only three of us out there and one is a women in her 60's, thankfully the first cop came back and the others took off without speaking to us. They were coming to force us to take down 3-4 of our signs because "someone" complained that they were blocking their view at the stop sign. There is no way they were blocking anyones line of vision, but we did move them. My question was why they needed 3 cops to ask us to move a few signs?

[HereSince1628]

2. The principle of overwhelming force and adequate transportation

The cynical part of me suggests that they may have brought an overwhelming force because when otherwise cautious and respectful individual police officers are sufficiently reinforced they become a positive feedback loop amplifying that voice inside them that says they are supposed to be part of macho, establishment reinforcing machine.

The practical side of me wonders if they needed 3 back seats to transport you to the pokey.

My experience suggests that the reason might be nothing else was happening in Wausau and they wanted to be where the action was.