- Nov 11, 2009
- 30,871
Not content with denying the law-abiding citizenry the right to defend their lives, Patriot Picket members tonight were told they were no longer permitted to exercise their first amendment right to petition the government for redress of their grievances.
Only last week, Attorney General Frosh indicated that, while we may be denied our Second Amendment rights to some extent, we certainly had the right to utilise our First Amendment right to protest. However, this supposed "right" was called into question this evening, as the Patriot Picket group assembled for the regularly-scheduled Monday meet-and-greet with the members of the General Assembly, their staff, and the public.
The picketers were told by a member of the Capitol Police that they had been ordered, presumably by an official somewhere above them in the hierarchy, that we no longer were permitted to picket peacefully on the public sidewalk. When we respectfully declined to vacate the sidewalk - we were told to take our signage and physical presence onto Lawyers' Mall, an area wherein assembly was only allowed by special permit - two of our number, Rack&Roll and Deep Lurker, were taken away in chains by a flotilla of half-dozen police cruisers.
As Delegates and Senators began to proceed to the Statehouse for the evening session, they were surprised to hear of the arrests. Chairman Vallario indicated his intention to speak to someone regarding this rather high-handed and un-Constitutional action; others voiced their surprise and dismay. At least one of the delegates so informed stated that he was glad of the arrests, and disappointed that the rest of us were not also arrested for our effrontery.
The Senate side provided few individuals who could be approached about the issue. Speculation was rife that the Democrats had taken to the tunnels in order to prevent damage to their delicate sensibilities.
Even though this picket has been a regular occurrence for a few years, someone somewhere in the state government was shocked - shocked!- to find that protesting had been going on, on the public sidewalks, and was determined to bring an end to it.
There were some members of the Fourth Estate present, who gladly videoed the police in the performance of their duties, and who subsequently interviewed some of the picketers regarding the occurrence, and the nature of our grievances with the General Assembly. You may be able to read about it in tomorrow's Capitol Gazette.
Anyone who believes that the right to be heard is intact in Maryland must now realise that the powers that be only wish to hear from those who embrace their views. Hand in hand with the denial of the right to protect one's life, free speech is also now under attack in Maryland. As this plays out, we will see whether the right to due process of law will also go by the wayside.
This is how the freedom of the Free State dies; not with a bang, but a whimper.
Only last week, Attorney General Frosh indicated that, while we may be denied our Second Amendment rights to some extent, we certainly had the right to utilise our First Amendment right to protest. However, this supposed "right" was called into question this evening, as the Patriot Picket group assembled for the regularly-scheduled Monday meet-and-greet with the members of the General Assembly, their staff, and the public.
The picketers were told by a member of the Capitol Police that they had been ordered, presumably by an official somewhere above them in the hierarchy, that we no longer were permitted to picket peacefully on the public sidewalk. When we respectfully declined to vacate the sidewalk - we were told to take our signage and physical presence onto Lawyers' Mall, an area wherein assembly was only allowed by special permit - two of our number, Rack&Roll and Deep Lurker, were taken away in chains by a flotilla of half-dozen police cruisers.
As Delegates and Senators began to proceed to the Statehouse for the evening session, they were surprised to hear of the arrests. Chairman Vallario indicated his intention to speak to someone regarding this rather high-handed and un-Constitutional action; others voiced their surprise and dismay. At least one of the delegates so informed stated that he was glad of the arrests, and disappointed that the rest of us were not also arrested for our effrontery.
The Senate side provided few individuals who could be approached about the issue. Speculation was rife that the Democrats had taken to the tunnels in order to prevent damage to their delicate sensibilities.
Even though this picket has been a regular occurrence for a few years, someone somewhere in the state government was shocked - shocked!- to find that protesting had been going on, on the public sidewalks, and was determined to bring an end to it.
There were some members of the Fourth Estate present, who gladly videoed the police in the performance of their duties, and who subsequently interviewed some of the picketers regarding the occurrence, and the nature of our grievances with the General Assembly. You may be able to read about it in tomorrow's Capitol Gazette.
Anyone who believes that the right to be heard is intact in Maryland must now realise that the powers that be only wish to hear from those who embrace their views. Hand in hand with the denial of the right to protect one's life, free speech is also now under attack in Maryland. As this plays out, we will see whether the right to due process of law will also go by the wayside.
This is how the freedom of the Free State dies; not with a bang, but a whimper.
