ACLU challenges 'speak no Wal-Mart' policy

ACLU challenges 'speak no Wal-Mart' policy

July 8, 2005

YELM, Wash. --The town council barred residents from mentioning
Wal-Mart at meetings, prompting a challenge by civil libertarians who
said a "free and accountable" government depends on a citizen's
ability to voice concerns openly.

The retailing giant has an application pending to build a superstore,
spurring controversy in the small town about 15 miles southeast of
Olympia.

In a letter to the council, American Civil Liberties Union lawyer
Aaron H. Caplan said his group believes it is unconstitutional to
ban any mention of Wal-Mart at council meetings. The term "big-box
stores" also is banned, as is "moratorium."

The ban began because council members were fed up with complaints
about the proposed superstore and related demands for a moratorium on
big-box stores, municipal attorney Brent Dille said. He said
officials also didn't want to appear biased if the council ever
hears appeals in the matter.