Free Speech

Just a cut and past from a post on the LPNC message board. Worth posting here as well. I plan on attending and I urge anyone else to attend as well.

Hey! Just thought I'd let everyone know about an event we're having over at UNCG
next week.

We'll be gathering in front of the library on Wed. Nov. 16th from 11am-1pm to
protest the existence of these "free speech zones" on campus. Basically, UNCG
(like many public universities across the country) has designated two tiny
areas of campus as "free speech and assembly zones" where groups can gather to
send their message. This of course implies that the rest of the university is
NOT a free speech zone, which is not true. The constitution clearly states that
ALL public property is a free speech zone. As long as a group is not disrupting
the primary function of the property (holding class), it is allowed to assemble
anywhere and say anything that it pleases. Students all over have been holding
assemblies like these and getting their schools to eliminate these rulings.

(I KNOW you've all heard of these zones before - its appalling. Not only do you
have to stay in these two tiny areas but you have to announce to Student Life
that you will be using them atleast 48 hours ahead of time!)

We have several student groups attending, along with many individuals (students
and non-students), faculty members and cameramen to document the incident. We
will provide signs for individuals to hold saying things such as "free speech
is dead", "UNCG hates free speech" and I believe Paul is bringing a wonderful
"UNC-Gestapo" sign. (yeah, paul!)

We'll also provide blank posterboard and markers so you can construct
your own sign if you wish. There will be constitutions to hand out to people,
petitions to circulate and get signed, and "gags" made out of the school colors
for those wishing to bind their mouths. We only ask participants that there be
no shouting, amplified noise, political agendas or music such as drums, since
the ONLY rule we want to break is the unconstitutional rule of the free speech
zones.

Many of us in the Libertarian group and a few outsiders and actually "planning"
on getting arrested. Hopefully, they will ask us to leave and we'll refuse so
they'll unleash the UNCG police. This will allow us to enlist the help of the
lawyers I've been talking to at thefire.org to bring a suit against UNCG for
our unconstitutional arrests and almost definitely they will have to abolish
their speech policies.

You're all welcome to attend of course! But I know it's not in the area for most
people. We're also keeping it apolitical, so there will be no active promoting
of the LP (though I'll be wearing my penguin pin for sure).

-Allison Jaynes
UNCG College Libertarians