(LibertySons.org) – There is a quote often attributed to Founding Father Patrick Henry: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This is also the spirit of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which says, “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” However, those sentiments don’t seem to apply when it comes to the Capitol Building for the State of Colorado, where a man was asked to remove his sweatshirt or leave. He’s now asking for
In March of 2023, radio host Jeffrey Hunt was asked to leave the state senate gallery because he allegedly violated the Gallery Rules. Was he disruptive to the proceedings? No. His crime? He wouldn’t remove his sweatshirt, which security said made a political statement. He sat respectfully, wearing a shirt that simply displayed the logo for “Pro-Life U,” the nickname of Colorado Christian University, where Hunt had previously worked.
Hunt was with a group of people there to respectfully show opposition to three legislative proposals that they felt would attack pro-life pregnancy centers. They sat silently in the senate gallery.
Now, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is stepping up behind him and threatening the state with a First Amendment lawsuit if they don’t change their ways. In a letter to Frank Lombardi, Senate Chief Sergeant-At-Arms, and Benjamin Trujillo, Senate Sergeant-At-Arms, FIRE asked that the ban on political pins and apparel no longer be enforced.
The letter sets a deadline for written confirmation by July 30, 2024. If the sergeant-at-arms doesn’t agree with the demand, the organization says it will “file a lawsuit and seek the full array of remedies, including damages and attorney’s fees.”
While some gallery rules, like “No cheering, outbursts, booing, or applause,” are understandable because they could disrupt the legislative procedures, banning silent freedom of expression might be going too far.
~Here’s to Our Liberty!
Copyright 2024, LibertySons.org
