Stormtrooper Thugs Give Tickets to Those Expressing Free Speech

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Chief Bob Hawkins said this week police intend to mail a ticket to a driver who was recorded on video honking 52 times during the June 30 vigil.

“To me, that is clearly a violation that creates a public safety situation,” Hawkins said. “We’re going to deal with it. I’m sure the ACLU is going to deal with us.”

ACLU attorney Howard Bass questioned whether police have a case. He said video recording by police of the vigils and passing traffic on June 23 and June 30 has had a chilling effect on free-speech rights.

The ACLU prevailed in an earlier horn-honking dispute with police.

Burnsville resident Barbara Gilliand was ticketed for improper horn use at the intersection on Aug. 5, 2008. Gilliand, who honked in support of the protesters, contacted the ACLU of Minnesota. The case was taken by Bass, a criminal-defense attorney in Burnsville and an ACLU board member and volunteer attorney.

“Basically, we moved to dismiss it on the basis that it was a violation of her First Amendment freedoms because it’s expressive conduct,” Bass said. “There are cases from around the country that have held that honking your horn in support of protesters’ message is constitutionally protected free speech.”

The city dismissed the complaint in February. In April, Bass and the city attorney signed a consent decree, on file in Dakota County District Court, stating that police wouldn’t issue citations for improper horn use “except under circumstances where the enforcement is necessary to preserve public safety.”

http://www.thisweeklive.com/index.php?opti...8&Itemid=29

[Nagishkaw 510]

police wouldn’t issue citations for improper horn use “except under circumstances where the enforcement is necessary to preserve public safety.”

The older the ram, the harder the horn.