GG Bridge Anti-War March Organizers Demand Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly

Golden Gate Bridge Anti-War March Organizers Demand Right to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly

Organizing Meeting this Sunday, May 19, 2002 at the Fellowship Hall of Humanity, 390-27th St., Oakland

Press Conference Regarding the First Amendment During Wartime Monday, May 20, 2002, 5pm, Golden Gate Bridge Administration Building, SF

On Friday, May 17, 2002, Golden Gate Bridge District authorities, in a meeting with Take it to the Bridge organizers, brazenly snatched the first amendment rights of the people: the rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

Anti-war march organizers, in preparation for a Saturday, May 25th mobilization at noon from Crissy Field across the Golden Gate Bridge, sought to discuss deviations to the Golden Gate Bridge District's "regulations pertaining to use of district properties for expressive activities."

March organizer Wendy Snyder stated, "All along, the issue of our right to dissent and to freedom of speech was something we have been willing to challenge at every step. In preparation for this mobilization, we sought permits from the Golden Gate Bridge authorities only out of concern for the safety and security of the march participants during this time when the U.S. government can use any resistance to its policies to attack people under the so-called 'war on terrorism.'"

"We want to send a message to the international community in opposition to the US support of Israel, to its policies in the Middle East, to its anti-democratic Patriot Act and the US attacks on oppressed people everywhere."

Continues Snyder, "The Golden Gate Bridge District's regulations don't allow banners, flags or bullhorns on the bridge walkway. They restrict the size of signs and also restrict the number of persons permitted on the bridge at any one time. From the current regulations that exist and from the 'compromise' that was proposed to us in the meeting, we are 'allowed' access to the bridge at an earlier time now with no signs whatsoever. Basically they are giving us 'permission' to hold a nice walk on the bridge without the ability to project any political message!"

The organizers were also told that the "Special Use Permit" for Crissy Field Airfield would come with a pricetag of over $15,000, of which $14,300 would go to hire the park police to do their job. "We were told that A 'First Amendment Permit' could be issued free of charge, but under that permit we wouldn't have the right to use amplified sound, a stage, to chant or raise our voices, or even to hold banners and signs. Our efforts to play by their rules has resulted in making our anti-war rally and march unobtainable."

The All People's Coalition has made a decision to go forward with its plans to rally and march, and, as people have done throughout history, to hold up first amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly when confronted with an attempt to stifle them, as the Golden Gate Bridge District and Park Service is apparently trying to do.

The All People's Coalition views the responsibility to oppose the brutal policies of the United States government as too important to give up. In a press release today the Coalition stated, "In this era where civil liberties are being taken away every day by the U.S. government, these attacks on our rights, now more than ever, must be challenged. We must go forward with our mobilization and call out all freedom-loving people and people who believe in the U.S. Constitution and free speech to participate."

For more info contact All People's Coalition to Stop US Terror and Occupation: (510) 569-9620 allpeepsco@yahoo.com