Free Speech, Petition, and Assembly Rights Accessible to All in Rolla
In response to a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Missouri against the Rolla Public Library on behalf of A New Approach Missouri, the library has issued a change in their public use policies. The new policy protects the First Amendment rights of the people and prohibits exclusion of public spaces because of political views.
In January, Randy Johnson, of New Approach Missouri, attempted to reserve a room at the Rolla Public Library for a volunteer training session. This session was intended to teach volunteers how to lawfully collect signatures in favor of a medical marijuana legalization ballot proposition. Despite meeting the stated criteria for room use for community groups, Johnson’s r was denied.
“Petitioning the government and direct ballot initiatives are two major ways people use their voice to bring change to their community,” said Randy Johnson, a Rolla resident and volunteer for New Approach Missouri. “Volunteers like me exercise our constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petitioning the government to place issues directly before voters. This settlement will help protect our right to free speech and allow us to continue to work to bring the issue of medical marijuana to voters.”
This case is a prime example of the multi-faceted First Amendment and how many ways it directly protects the rights of citizens to be an active part of their government. Direct and unfettered access to the political process is crucial for any thriving democracy and a main way that We the People hold our governing bodies accountable.
“The Rolla Public Library had allowed personal ideologies to stand between a member of the community and access to a public space – a clear violation of Mr. Johnson’s constitutional rights,” said Tony Rothert, ACLU of Missouri legal director. “Following the library’s thoughtful consideration of its own policies, we believe the new meeting policy will ensure public access is afforded to all equally.”
The ACLU of Missouri is pleased that the Rolla Public Library has taken these positive action steps toward protecting the constitutional rights of every member of the community they serve.
