How
to Exercise Your Right to Dissent:
An Educational Forum for Community & Student Activists
Thursday, September 27, 2007, 7pm
UNCA Highsmith Center, Room 221
Buncombe
County Sheriff, Van Duncan, Asheville Police Chief Bill Hogan,
and City Council members, Robin Cape, are among the distinguished
panelists who will present their views and answer questions
at a public education forum on properly exercising your constitutional
right to dissent.
Sparked
by recent events in the Asheville area, the Panel will explore
the rights and restrictions on protesters in exercising their
first amendment rights to express disagreement with government
and corporate policies and activities. Professor Mark Gibney,
UNCA’s Belk Distinguished Professor of Humanities, will
serve as Moderator.
Important local issues to be discussed include those raised
by the flag "desecration" case and a recent protest
which occurred at the Bank of America.
“We’re
very excited by the prospects of this Forum,” says organizer,
Alex Cury, a Board
member of the ACLU WNC chapter, “because it will be a
rare opportunity for a candid exchange of views among dissenters,
government officials and the persons responsible for enforcing
limitations on free speech.” Ms. Cury also stated that
she anticipates that the Panel will shed light on questions
such as:
How
do you exercise your rights to free speech and free assembly within
the bounds of the law?
Is a permit necessary?
Where and under what circumstances can you display a sign or banner?
Can you demonstrate on private property?
Can you use a bullhorn or other amplification equipment?
The
issue of non-violent, though illegal, protests will also be
considered.Previously announced panelists include City Attorney
Robert Oast, local political and social activist Clare Hanrahan.
UNCA Professor Dwight Mullen, UNCA Students for a Democratic
Society’s President, Kati Ketz, and local attorney Frank
Goldsmith.
That
the issue of dissent is a timely one is reflected not only in
the diversity of the Panel itself, but in the ever-growing coalition
of local organizations which are endorsing the Forum. See below
for current list.
For
more information, please contact Alex Cury at 253-5088 or acury@juno.com.
For directions to Highsmith Center, click
here.
Veterans
for Peace
Women in Black
Asheville Buncombe Citizens for Quality Government
Buncombe Greens
Grandmothers for Peace
The Department of Peace
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Human Rights
Team
Virato Live!
People Advocating Real Conservancy
Mountain Voices Alliance
The Ethical Society of Asheville
Students for a Democratic Society
Coalition of Earth Religions for Education and Support (CERES)
Carolina Animal Action
Katuah Earth First!
MAIN
WPVM.
Save
Our Civil Liberties Campaign
The Peace and Earth Committee of Asheville Religious Society
of Friends (Quakers)
Stop Tasers Now!
