For years, citizens of Broward County have participated in the democratic process by setting up tables and chairs and signs in front of the courthouses and libraries of Broward County to peaceably assemble and speak in support of political issues and candidates. They have registered new voters, solicited signatures for constitutional amendments (like Fair Districts) and issue advocacy (like health care reform), and campaigned for political candidates.
Now, the Broward County Administrator is trying to suppress the rights of individuals to engage in political speech on County property by requiring volunteers to get permits every 5 days. We can't understand this. Broward County Government should want to increase voter turnout and voter education by an active volunteer grassroots effort that meets and engages voters and potential voters on public county property.
This issue will be discussed at the Broward County Commission meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. The meeting is scheduled from 10 AM to 12 Noon. We are asking you to come out and join us in support of free speech. The Broward County Commission is located at 115 S. Andrews Avenue, 4th floor, in Fort Lauderdale (just south of Broward). Any individual who wishes to address the County Commission must fill out a speaker form located on the Dais and give it to the Deputy Clerk before the meeting begins.
Here is the link to Tuesday's Agenda (Item 38): http://205.166.161.204/agenda_publish.cfm?mt=ALL&get_month=11&get_year=2011&dsp=ag&seq=274#ReturnTo0
If you cannot join us at the meeting, stand up and support this kind of political activity by calling or emailing the Broward County Commissioners and asking them to oppose any permitting requirement and other unreasonable restrictions on campaigning and to let volunteers continue to set up tables and chairs and signs in front of Broward County's libraries and courthouses.
Thank you from Alan Ehrlich, Barbara Effman, Barbara Miller, Alex Johnson, Betty DiMaio, and Cynthia Busch.
Here are the Commissioners' phone numbers and emails. Tell them your name and where you live and then why you are calling. Please try to call or email before Tuesday.
District 1 - Ilene Lieberman - 954-357-7001 - ilieberman@broward.org
District 2 - Kristin Jacobs - 954-357-7002 - kjacobs@broward.org
District 3 - Stacy Ritter - 954-357-7003 - sritter@broward.org
District 4 - Chip LaMarca - 954-357-7004 - clamarca@broward.org
District 5 - Lois Wexler - 954-357-7005 - lwexler@broward.org
District 6 - Sue Gunzburger - 954-357-7006 - sgunzburger@broward.org
District 7 - John Rodstrom - 954-357-7007 - jrodstrom@broward.org
District 8 - Barbara Sharief - 954-357-7008 - bsharief@broward.org
District 9 - Dale Holness - 954-357-7009 - dholness@broward.org
County Administrator Bertha Henry - 954-357-7362 - bhenry@broward.org
As an alternative to these unnecessary permitting restrictions, we are proposing the reasonable and commonsense guidelines listed below. We need your support! Volunteers, candidates, and elected officials must be allowed to register voters, introduce themselves, educate the public, and discuss issues and receive input directly with our neighbors, without the barriers that are being proposed.
Use of County Property/Facilities outside of the Election Process:
* Volunteers have the right to address matters of significant interest to the public.
* No commercial speech or activity.
* Volunteers may not charge for any activity.
* Volunteers may not block entrances, exits, or access in any way.
* Volunteers may not damage County property or disrupt County operations in any way.
* Tables, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas are allowed for personal use only.
* Signs may be held, affixed to tables, or placed on the grass next to tables; signs may not be placed on trees, fences, or buildings.
* All items (including trash) must be removed at the end of the day.
* No tents, canopies, sound amplification devices or similar items may be used without Board approval.
* Volunteers are responsible for any damage.
* Volunteers must comply with state, and federal laws, and local rules, regulations, or ordinances.
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