You Have the Right to Protest…Quietly

Your free speech rights to protest in DC may be in jeopardy. The proposed Noise Law bill -- introduced by Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and Kwame Brown (At-large) – currently being considered in the DC City Council “would ban the use of bull-horns and ‘loud’ shouting at all protests any time of day,” says Rick Powell, Metro Council Political Coordinator. “Under the existing law, ‘non-commercial public speech’ is permitted between 7A and 8P with no restrictions on decibel levels,” Powell says. Local labor leaders and activists have objected strongly to the bill. This bill would “shut down loud protest in the city and deny every individual and organization the First Amendment right to speak and more importantly be heard,” says Metro Council President Joslyn Williams. A DC Council Committee hearing will be held on the bill Monday July 9th. 2005 UNITE HERE demo in support of LAZ parking workers, photo by Tom Adkins