Support for free speech needed at the Broward County Commission on Tuesday, November 8 at 10am

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Support for free speech needed at the Broward County Commission on Tuesday, November 8 at 10am.  Please see information below and in the attachment about the use of designated county facilities.

     We have now received the County Administrator’s new proposed guidelines (attached) for the use of County Facilities for campaigning, advocacy, and voter registration on non-election days, including shockingly a new permitting requirement.  We are appalled by this proposed restriction of free speech and electioneering at county facilities.  This proposal is unacceptable!  County property should belong to the citizens of Broward County, and to propose unnecessary barriers to campaigning, issue advocacy, and educating the public is just plain wrong.  It should be incumbent on government to make face to face electioneering easier, not harder.  The downside of this proposed restriction on the opportunity for free speech, especially political free speech, clearly outweighs whatever reasons are behind this new proposal.
As an alternative to these unnecessary 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.


    We have been told that this matter will be on the Broward County Commission Agenda on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 starting at 10 AM.  We are asking you to come out on that day to the Commission Meeting to support our proposal.  Please share this request with all of your contacts in Broward County.

    Here are the guidelines we are proposing for campaigning at non-polling places and on non-election days outside of county facilities:


    Use of County Property/Facilities outside of the Election Process:


        *  Volunteers have the right to address matters of significant interest to the public.<,span>


*  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 whth state, and federal laws, and local rules, regulations, or ordinances.


Don’t forget:  Tuesday, November 8, 2011 starting at 10 AM, at the Broward County Commission, 115 S. Andrews Avenue (just south of Broward), 4th Floor.  Thank you for your support!


Alan Ehrlich, Barabara Effman, Betty DiMaio, Alex Johnson, Barbara Miller, and Cynthia Busch




 Download proposed ordinance