DC Council Votes to Limit Free Speech
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
DC City Council approved a noise bill Tuesday that Metro Council President
Jos Williams immediately blasted as "a resounding slap in the face of free
speech here in the nation's capital." The Council voted down compromise
legislation crafted with labor support. "This preliminary vote by the City
Council impinges on free speech,” said ACLU President Johnny Barnes, “and we
are disappointed that the Evans compromise amendment -- which would have
ameliorated the issues raised -- failed to pass." The vote was 7-6 with
Councilmembers Marion Barry, Mary Cheh, Tommy Wells, David Catania, Carol
Schwartz, Yvette Alexander and Kwame Brown voting to limit free speech. Though
the bill is intended to deal with one specific group, labor and civil rights
advocates are concerned that it will be used to limit noise levels at other
demonstrations in the District. "We will not be silenced," vowed Williams, "the
demand for justice cannot be whispered."