First Amendment GG Bridge

Anti-War March Organizers Uphold the Right to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly!

What:
Press Conference Regarding the First Amendment During Wartime
When:
Tuesday, May 21, 2002, 12 noon, Golden Gate Bridge Administration, San Francisco
Contact: All People's Coalition to Stop US Terror and Occupation (510 569-9620 or (408) 885-9785

Take it to the Bridge to Stop the War march organizers will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 12 noon at the Golden Gate Bridge District Administration Building. March organizers want to make public their First Amendment rights concerns in reference to the Golden Gate Bridge District and other agencies regarding a planned anti-war mobilization from Crissy Field across the Golden Gate Bridge to take place next weekend.

The Golden Gate Bridge District are denying march participants the use of signs or flags on the bridge. At the same time, the National Park Service, in charge of Crissy Field, has given march organizers the "choice" of use of the site with exorbitant fees attached or a "First Amendment Permit" that doesn't allow amplified sound or a stage. March organizers had sought to discuss deviations to the Golden Gate Bridge District's "regulations pertaining to use of district properties for expressive activities" on last Friday, May 17, 2002.

March organizer Wendy Snyder states, "All along, the issue of our right to dissent and to freedom of speech was something we knew we'd have to challenge. 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.' Our main goal is 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 `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 a strong political message!"

Also, the organizers were also told that the "Special Use Permit" for Crissy Field Airfield would come with a pricetag of over $15,000 to hire the park police to do their job!! They were also told that a "First
Amendment Permit" could be issued free of charge, but that the permit didn't allow amplified sound or a stage but would permit the use of four bullhorns.

The All People's Coalition is going forward with plans to rally and march and also expose the Golden Gate Bridge District and National Park Service's attempts to stifle First Amendment rights. In this post 9-11 era where civil liberties are in being taken away every day by the U.S. government, these attacks on our rights, now more than ever, must be challenged. We call out all freedom-loving people and those who believe in the U.S. Constitution and free speech to participate. The march will gather at 11am at Crissy Field and leave at 11:30 to march across the Golden Gate Bridge and return to Crissy Field. Contact allpeepsco [at] yahoo.com for more info.