Free speech on the plaza
Angela Miller walked away with a feeling of disgust Monday after
talking with a religious group out on the Lory Student Center
Plaza.
“The guy who talked to me told me that I was going to hell, even
though I honesty believe that I am saved in the Lord’s eyes,” said
Miller, a sophomore human development and family studies major.
According to CSU Peaceful Assembly Policies and Procedures, the
Plaza has been designated as the primary “public forum” space for
CSU so groups such as this are not in the wrong.
CSU honors the rights of students and others to assemble in
groups for peaceful purposes. If a group or individual assembles in
a manner that may be seen as controversial, Campus Activities
planners will do their best to provide staff members for students
to talk to for resources and information, said Mari Strombom,
director of Campus Activities.
The physical parameter of the Plaza as a free-speech zone
includes the south boundary of the northernmost edge of the paving
stones. The west boundary is the stone seating wall and the
flowerbeds are the east boundary. Finally, the north boundary is
the edge of the north stairs, according to the literature.
While the majority of free-speech demonstrations are
non-controversial, not all assemblies have had a positive reaction
from students.
Miller was not the only one offended by one of the groups
preaching on the Plaza Monday.
“I think it’s a form of harassment,” said Angela Wilson, a
senior computer science major. “They’re forcing their opinions on
you rather then talking to you about it.”
Controversial issues may arise because groups are not required
to register before assembling on the Plaza. Strombom said the group
on Monday failed to identify itself when she asked them to move
away from Morgan Library, which is not apart of the public forum
area.
One of the other obstacles the Campus Activities staff has to
face is fully defending those who choose to use the public forum
area.
“One of the challenges of monitoring the free-speech zone is
being able to defend what someone else’s beliefs are, even if they
are counter to your own,” Strombom said.
Breakout: If students have any questions about peaceful assembly
on the Plaza they can contact the Event Planning Office at
491-0229; they can also contact the Campus Activities Center at
491-6626.
Congress shall make no law respecting…abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right Of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of
grievances.
-First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
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