MILWAUKEE – The ACLU of Wisconsin released an updated statement today after Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride changed his previous statement Friday pertaining to protesting rules in the city limits of Wauwatosa after working with the ACLU of Wisconsin.
"The ACLU of Wisconsin appreciates the city of Wauwatosa's willingness to work with us to bring their statement on protests into closer alignment with Constitutional requirements. We will continue to monitor the city's implementation of its statement and its ordinances," said Chris Ott, executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin.
"Police have a duty to protect and facilitate protest, even when it causes discomfort and unrest. As the Supreme Court said long ago, freedom of speech "may indeed best serve its high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger." Terminiello v. Chicago (1949). The city may, of course, address individual instances of criminal conduct, but it may not suppress protesters generally because of the actions of a few," Ott said.
