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'Free Speech' Zones Await Protesters

author:
Aug 20, 2003 12:46

While Dubya visits Western Washington this weekend, he may have a hard time hearing the cries of protesters, many of whom will likely be corralled into so-called "Free Speech Zones." These Free Speech Zonesare a new tactic in censorship being used by various governmental and private groups to limit dissent. The tactic expands on Mayor Schell’s use of "No Protest Zones" during Seattle’s WTO protests in 1999 (an injury to free speech rights which was later upheld by federal court).

In the wake of 9/11, such zones have been used by universities across the US to limit student dissent to controllable areas. Now it seems the Bush regime has picked up the ball, and run with it.

Rallies are scheduled all over the Northwest. But Bush will be nowhere near the protests on Friday morning, beginning his Washington visit with a stop in the Tri-cities area to talk about salmon recovery. After this the president will be doing some serious hobnobbing with the local super-rich, including Craig and Susan McCaw at their Mansion at 3858 Hunts Point Road in Medina. At 11:30 AM on the 22ndd, Bush will be asking for even more cash at a gathering from such noted contributors as Norm Maleng, Jim and John Nordstrom, The Weyerhausers and a host of other wealthy contributors with surnames that are also the names of corporations.

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