TMCTLT wrote:Somers ruled Thursday the city of Dearborn didn't violate Jones' free speech rights by denying him a permit to protest outside the mosque. Somers said Jones rejected four alternative sites listed in a city ordinance.
What do you call denying them the right to protest outside the Mosque? You just go shopping for controversy don't you? It is NOT the courts right to suggest they protest elsewhere.......this is Political Correctness plain and simple...
And it looks like he plans to sue. If he does we will see if the denial of a permit is a violation of first amendment rights. I don't think it will be ruled that way though.
Reversing the situation might be something to do here to see how one would react. A group of muslims who in the past have burned crosses or bibles requests a permit to protest outside a large baptist church. I would think that permit would be denied as well. Permits have also been denied to G-20 protesters, anti-war protesters, etc mostly because of the locations requested. The cities or towns are trying to balance public safety vs speech. I'm not saying that I agree with them in all cases either. But those denied have the courts to decide via lawsuits that would set precident for future cases.