Free Speech is a Human Right!

FREE SPEECH IS A HUMAN RIGHT!
By Mike Rhodes

Federal marshals violated nonviolent protestors Free Speech rights on International Human Rights Day in Fresno. Participants at the Tuesday, December 10 celebration of Human Rights Day were told by security forces at the downtown Federal Building not to cross a line that separates the public sidewalk from the Federal Building.

With demonstrators on “the other side of the line” the security guards stood nearby and admonished people when they dared step on the Federal Building side. At one point the wheel of a bicycle found itself on the wrong side of the line and security quickly responded demanding that the offending vehicle be removed and that the bicycles owner provide identification. When the security officer was asked for his identification, he refused! Rule number one: when you have a confrontation at a protest with the police (or other security personnel) get their name and badge number. For more information on how to defend your rights go to: http://www.aclu.org/PolicePractices/PolicePracticesMain.cfm

Observers of International Human Rights Day have come to the Fresno Federal Building for years. Many groups have used the Federal Building to protest government policies. There have been numerous nonviolent protests, people have fasted in front of the building, and several times camped out there, all without incident. But this weeks event was different. With the “Homeland Security” act now in place protesters felt that the draconian policies of the Bush administration were becoming a reality right here in Fresno.

At this event the Human Rights Day protestors spoke out against the Bush administrations attacks against Iraq, calling for an end to the sword rattling and demanding that this country not invade a sovereign nation that has not attacked us. The event, organized largely by Comite No Nos Vamos and the San Joaquin Valley Immigrant Rights Coalition, talked about the importance of immigrant rights. Other speakers called for environmental, economic and social justice.

As the demonstration began Federal Building security demanded that event organizer Gloria Hernandez move her car. Gloria had parked her car across the street and put $2 in the parking meter. She could not understand why security insisted she move her car but she complied. As it turns out, this was simply harassment by Federal Building security. Perhaps more ominously, several event participants saw a black SUV with dark tinted glass parked down the street and one or more people sitting inside observing the demonstration. One activist said she has seen a similar vehicle at another demonstration taking pictures of protestors.

I spoke to Robert Vannata, Government Agent/PSS with the Federal Police about this incident today (Thursday, December 12). Mr Vannata told me that his agency is in charge of all security at the Federal Building and that he did not authorize anyone to draw a line preventing protesters near the Federal Building. He said that the security guards from Marshal Services inside the Federal Building are not authorized to perform their services outside of the building. “I am in charge and as long as nobody is blocking traffic or creating a problem they are welcome to protest at the Federal Building,” Mr Vannata said. “As long as the protest is nonviolent, we don’t have a problem with people being here.”

When asked about the car incident Mr Vannata said that was not a Federal Building issue. “As long as they were not parked on the East side of the street, where there are “no parking” signs, nobody should have said anything,” Vannata said. “It would be the Fresno Police Department that would be authorized to make that kind of a request,” Vannata added.

Government Agent Vannata did say that if there were actions of Civil Disobedience at the Federal building things would change. He said that “technically” groups should get a permit from the City of Fresno to hold a demonstration at the Federal Building. “That rule is not enforced right now” but Vannata said he would like to know when groups are coming. His number is (559) 498-7519. Vannata said he knew nothing about anyone taking pictures from a black SUV in front of the Federal Building.

A while ago, Utah Phillips said: “The state can’t give you free speech, and the state can’t take it away. You’re born with it, like your eyes, like your ears. Freedom is something you assume, then you wait for someone to try to take it away. The degree to which you resist is the degree to which you are free...”

I agree.