 Defend free speech at the RNC and DNC. Sign the letter to the mayors of Tampa and Charlotte.  |
Too often, at political conventions, free speech takes a beating.
Political parties intent on keeping the focus on their carefully managed messages do everything they can to make sure protesters don't steal the show. And local authorities let legitimate concerns about security be used to mask totally illegitimate efforts to stifle and silence dissent.
In the next two weeks, tens of thousands of protesters will descend on Tampa where the Republicans are meeting and Charlotte where the Democratic convention will be held.
We have to make sure their First Amendment rights are fully protected.
Tell the mayors of Tampa, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina that dissent is patriotic and that protesters' free speech rights must be protected during the RNC and DNC conventions.
Working with police and protesters alike to help safeguard free speech, the ACLU is already on the ground in Tampa and Charlotte, where we are:
Political parties intent on keeping the focus on their carefully managed messages do everything they can to make sure protesters don't steal the show. And local authorities let legitimate concerns about security be used to mask totally illegitimate efforts to stifle and silence dissent.
In the next two weeks, tens of thousands of protesters will descend on Tampa where the Republicans are meeting and Charlotte where the Democratic convention will be held.
We have to make sure their First Amendment rights are fully protected.
Tell the mayors of Tampa, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina that dissent is patriotic and that protesters' free speech rights must be protected during the RNC and DNC conventions.
Working with police and protesters alike to help safeguard free speech, the ACLU is already on the ground in Tampa and Charlotte, where we are:
- Hosting public forums — live and online — educating hundreds of people about their First Amendment rights.
- Distributing "know your rights" materials in advance and during the conventions.
- And will have staff on the ground to monitor police activity at protests during the conventions.
But after years of seeing seemingly neutral security laws spiral out of
control at these conventions has taught us not to take any chances.
Sign the letter calling on the mayors of Tampa and Charlotte to respect and uphold protesters' rights to assemble, protest and speak freely at these high-profile conventions.
Thank you for making sure free speech isn't curtailed in this critical election year.
Thank you for making sure free speech isn't curtailed in this critical election year.
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Sincerely,
 Anthony D. Romero Executive Director, ACLU |
P.S. You know the kind of tactics we've faced at past conventions — from
"free speech zones" that fence off protesters to overly aggressive
police tactics that disrupt peaceful protests. Sign the letter and then check out our "Know Your Rights" materials.
