ACLU challenges Fla. county's speech-zone rules

ACLU challenges Fla. county's speech-zone rules

By The Associated Press
12.13.05
ORLANDO, Fla. — The American Civil Liberties Union and two co-plaintiffs are suing Polk County, alleging that requirements for exhibiting in its “free-speech zone” are unconstitutional.

The zone was created after a church group erected a manger scene outside a county building in Bartow last December without permission. Within several days, other items were placed on the lawn, including a sign celebrating “Festivus,” the holiday made famous by the television comedy “Seinfeld.”

Polk officials then determined that potential exhibitors had to be approved by the county attorney, have $500,000 in liability insurance and agree not to hold the county liable.
(snip)

“The problem is really very simple. In creating essentially a public forum, Polk County opened that area for free speech for all of its residents,” said Mike Pheneger, chairman of the Greater Tampa chapter of the ACLU of Florida. “They’ve given it to you, but then they’ve taken it away from a segment of the citizenry.”
(snip/...)

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=16186