Question-- Should I inform the Sheriff?? (page 2)

Junction-Guy

To G Money- Thats what Ive been thinking about doing. Perhaps he could tell me the places I could picket and not violate the law. Ive been kinda reluctant, but on the same hand, I feel that the Sheriff is entitled to know what I know about Jehovah's Witnesses, and if a case ever comes up where JW's are involved, then he could call on me for answers on their religious views.

Max Divergent

Don't get in a pickle with the Sheriff?We didn't want to argue with Deputy Mannequin.

Sounds like a song... "I told the sheriff... but I did not tell the deputeeee..."

Most cops will just quell a 'situation' the quickest, easiest way possible.... and if that's telling you to rack-off, then that's what they'll do. You'd have to find out what your rights are (attorney, ACLU... the cops will tell you their version of the law) and assert them with the local police - preferably in advance of your protest action, ummm... 'do all things decently and by arrangement'

blondie

http://www.aclu-tn.org/default.htm

http://www.aclu-tn.org/advocacy.html

http://www.aclu-tn.org/complaintform.html

I would check with the ACLU.

After all the WTS is an organization that began by handing leaflets to people as they were leaving their churches.

Who blared out their beliefs to the neighbors from sound cars.

Who walked around with placards that sayd "Religion is a snare and a racket"

Cant' they take the heat when it is directed towards them? They had the "right" to do those things; do they begrudge others the same rights?

Gretchen956

I can't pretend to be a lawyer or in law enforcement, though I was married to a cop for 15 years and heard many things. I know laws in every state are different. But I did understand that if you are on public property (the sidewalk) you aren't trespassing and you aren't a safety hazard and have every right to be there. If you are on KH property then they have a right to tell you to leave or to have you arrested. Find out where the public property is if there is no sidewalk. If there is one you can use it same as anyone else.

Talking to the sheriff couldn't hurt though, some agencies have policies about what their employees can do even on their own time if they deem it "embarrassing" to the department.

Sherry

Mary

I don't understand why you can't picket out front of the KH.......here in Canada you certainly can. The sidewalk in front is considered public property and they can't tell you not to picket. In fact, this is how the Organization gets away with going door-to-door. The sidewalks and people's front doors are considered "public" and you have every right to be there, but by law if you go around to their back door, you're trespassing on private property.

If I were you, I'd talk to a lawyer to see exactly what the laws are in your State. I'd be surprised if they were that different than up here. And seeing as the papparazzi in the USA seem to be able to follow, tract, harass and provoke whoever they want, why the hell wouldn't you have the right to picket in front of a building? Aren't Americans protected by the First Amendement to practice Freedom of Speech?

Sounds like this sherriff might be in league with the local brothers..........

blondie

I don' t think the sheriff is in cahoots with "the brothers," but I do think the sheriff wants to keep the peace.

I still think JG that you should contact a lawyer familiar with civil rights or union picketing, such as the ACLU or contact the Tennesee Bar for some suggestions.

With all the picketing regarding abortion, homosexuality, and political issues, there have to be some definite laws, locally and otherwise. Laws differ from country to country, state to state in the US, and even between city, county, town and village laws.

http://lawcrawler.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/lc.pl?entry=picketing+religious&sites=wlegal

Here is one site (above) to search on under "religious picketing" and this info was interesting

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The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 (commonly called the FACE law) protects

	crisis pregnancy centers,
	abortion clinics,
	physicians' offices,
	other reproductive health clinics,
	churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, and other religious buildings.

"by establishing Federal criminal penalties and civil remedies for certain violent, threatening, obstructive and destructive conduct that is intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with persons." [from Section 2]

It is not generally realized that the FACE law protects both pro-choice abortion clinics, and pro-life crisis pregnancy centers. It also assures people access to worship in religious buildings without harassment.

Section 3 (a) of the law prohibits persons using force or physical obstruction to:

intentionally injure, intimidate or interfere with:

	A person seeking access to a reproductive health service,
	A person providing a reproductive health service, or
	A person attempting to access a religious service

Threats to do any of the above are also prohibited by the law. The FACE law also applies to a person who intentionally damages or destroys property at a reproductive health services clinic or religious building.

The FACE law does not "prohibit any expressive conduct (including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration)". [Section 3 (d)(1)].

In 1994-MAY, the FACE bill was signed into law by President Clinton. First-time offenders can receive a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Subsequent offenses can increase the penalties to 3 years and $250,000.

The FACE law has often been associated with the judicial banning of picketing within a certain number of feet of an abortion clinic. This concept of providing "buffer zones" is unrelated to the FACE law. They have been created by judges who have used such zones when granting injunctions.

Since being signed into law, FACE has survived a number of challenges on the basis of first amendment rights (freedom of speech). It seems to have significantly reduced the number of blockades of abortion clinics.

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Reference:

The "Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE) FAQ" website contains the full text of the law at: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/law/clinic-access/

JustTickledPink

In my City you have to apply for a City permit to picket. Then they tell you all the legal things you can and can't do. They send a copy to the local police/sheriff and then you are all set. No problems.

It is your right to picket, just follow the legal standard procedures in your local area.

tijkmo

if you genuinely beleive that jws pose a threat shouldnt you be prepared to do whatever it takes to reveal this whatever the consequences and right on your doorstep and not in fancy dress...just a thought

mkr32208

As a fellow corrections officer I suggest moving the demonstration to a different hall. Don't risk the job man you went through too much to get it! I don't know how it is there but here they want officers to be very very neutral. They get unhappy when the hear of ANY public notice of an officer for just about any reason! They may not care but my experince is that they will and if you ever plan on doing a transition to police this could have serious long term career impact! Just go to another hall and spread the word there!

They are not worth any more pain brother!

Losing your job will be pain they arent' worth it....

Junction-Guy

I have received some good advice here, keep it coming.

Thanks Blondie for those links, when I get a chance I will look them over.

Dave

Question-- Should I inform the Sheriff??

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