Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2012
Source: Pueblo Chieftain (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Pueblo Chieftain
Contact:  http://www.chieftain.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1613

FREE SPEECH?

SEN. KEVIN Grantham, R-Canon City, has criticized Colorado University
for policies he says harm First Amendment rights. The policies were
adopted to manage the annual 4/20 pro-marijuana smokeout on the
Boulder campus. We doubt that many of those who took part have medical
marijuana documentation, so the demonstrators clearly were performing
an illegal act.

But the policies require anyone seeking to gather at the campus or
distribute literature there - including petitions - to apply for a
permit that administrators must approve. Distribution of those
materials also is limited to specific "free speech zones."

Since when is speech free when it must be approved by an agent of the
government? That troubles Sen. Grantham, and it should trouble
everyone who holds dear the right of free speech.

What really rankled the senator's sensibility was the recent
requirement that Gideons obtain a permit and stay within certain zones
of the campus for their annual Bible distribution event that has been
a tradition for 40 years.

That requirement, Sen. Grantham said, "lumped them in with the 4/20ers
that are going in and committing crimes."

When someone is breaking the law, it's CU's responsibility to see that
they are arrested and dealt with by the judicial system. But
university officials should not be limiting where people can exercise
their fundamental right of free speech.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt