Iraq War Walkout

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If you are planning for a large group to congregating, it might be a good idea to obtain a permit. Contact your local city government for more information. Also, if you are planning on using loudspeakers, you may need a noise permit.

The right to peacefully gather and parade or demonstrate to make one's views known or to support or oppose a public policy is based upon the twin guarantees of the freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble.

"Freedom of speech and of the press are fundamental rights which are safeguarded by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Federal Constitution. ... The right of peaceable assembly is a right cognate to those of free speech and is equally fundamental. As this Court said in United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542, 552: `The very idea of a government, republican in form, implies a right on the part of its citizens to meet peaceably for consultation in respect to public affairs, and to petition for a redress of grievances.' The First Amendment of the Federal Constitution expressly guarantees that right against abridgment by Congress.

But explicit mention there does not argue exclusion elsewhere. For the right is one that cannot be denied without violating those fundamental principles of liberty and justice which lie at the base of all civil and political institutions, -- principles which the Fourteenth Amendment embodies in the general terms of its due process clause." - Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, De Jonge v. Oregon (1937)

United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542 (1876) -- The Supreme Court said that the "right of the people peaceably to assemble for the purpose of petitioning Congress for a redress of grievances, or for any thing else connected with the powers and duties of the national government, is an attribute of national citizenship, and, as such, under the protection of, and guaranteed by, the United States." The high court applied the liberty only to any federal government's encroachment.

Hague v. C.I.O., 307 U.S. 496 (1939) -- The high court ruled that peaceful demonstrators may not be prosecuted for "disorderly conduct." This case also secured streets and sidewalks as public forums.

Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U.S. 88 (1940) -- The Supreme Court held that orderly union picketing that informs the public of the issues is protected by the constitutional freedom of speech and of the press and the right of peaceable assembly and cannot be prosecuted under state loitering and picketing laws.

However, as you may know, it is also the law that children under the age of 16 must stay in school...it really depends on how the situation is handled, I suppose. If you're still looking for more legal information, I found all of the previous information on the following website: http://w3.trib.com/FACT/1st.assemble.html

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