UPDATE: There has been a rumor circulating that this all came about because a PETITIONER filed a protection order against a former Republican State Legislator. I’m not going to finger him until I know for sure, but it seems like his style since he is MAGA and supports abortion without protections. I guess he pushed a (pro-choice) petitioner and that is why they filed the order. But what is bizarre is that the petitioner was the one being harassed NOT the people walking by the petitioners. Maybe the county needs to have a policy that protects petitioners from MAGgots.
While I have heard from others that they were being ‘harassed’ by petitioners I personally never have. I either say yes or no and walk off. People who have the impression they are being harassed would have never signed your petition anyway.
Either way, petitioners have 1st Amendment rights to gather in public spaces, especially for petition gathering, the County Auditor thinks differently;
One will be in the Minnesota Avenue parking lot on the west side of the administration building, about 25 feet from the main entry where residents often enter to take care of automobile registration, voting and other county business.
The other will be adjacent to the county courthouse on the south sidewalk but away from the two stairways that lead to the main entryway.
I find it ironic those who claim to be on the side of Liberty, Freedom and Justice want to TRY to limit our Constitutional Rights. This is an obvious attempt at limiting petition gathering since this is one of the best places to gather signatures, and they know it.
I encourage any petitioner to ignore the rules and petition in front of the main entries and if threatened with arrest I would remind them you have a 1st Amendment Right to petition the government, especially on tax payer owned property. The County Commission and County Auditor do NOT have the constitutional authority to do this (that is why they call this a ‘policy’ and not a law or ordinance, because it is just a suggestion and they know it).
The County Commission ate it up and voted full authoritarian unanimously to limit the areas (FF: 24:00)
Lawsuit.
Anyone can stand on public property to gather signatures. There is a concern with clogging areas to prevent people entering or leaving. In some rare cases it can be a safety issue, but one or two people a few feet from the door is not going to be a problem. Petition circulators need to be aware . In Pennington County we used to open doors for people, even if they wouldn’t sign.
Sounds like a buried pet perimeter fence with ankle bracelets. I’ve noticed that Pennington County is more citizen friendly. It’s very strange how the Missouri River seems a barrier that separates certain civil liberties. Is it because there’s at least a few democrats and more LBGTQ west state? Or, is it because West River is where liberal Californians have resettled?
It’s amazing how democracy survives better where it’s an hour earlier and not to late.
No cars or trucks should be allowed to drive or park within 25 feet of the doors to avoid “congestion.”
“I thought this might be appropriate for today”…..:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ecDPWvL16Q
When I was a kid, Charles was a young prince. Prince was still a Minneapolis kid and Minnesota was then crowned as nice. I’m not sure what 10,000 Lakes has to do with royalty. Unless the Land of Lakes is the divine artistry of what some call royal blues, or would that be purple, Prince?
i dont think it should be allowed after dark due to new residents conceal carrying and not knowing who david zokaites is when he approaches strangers with a clipboard at the corner of 12th & phillips in red camo pants at 9pm