TRI In The News
Civil Liberties Group Admonishes Williamsburg Over 'Presentation Areas'
From The Virginia Gazette
Original article available here
WILLIAMSBURG — The head of The Rutherford Institute is calling on the Williamsburg City Council to reject a proposed ordinance that would define specific areas at each end of the Historic Area for protests.
In a letter to the city, John Whitehead warns that the proposed ordinance "is so overly broad that it would severely restrict expressive activities" in the Historic Area and Merchants Square. He also suggested the law could "construed as criminalizing even casual interactions taking place outside these areas."
The city proposal would define "presentation areas" at each end of Merchants Square as approved for demonstrations and protests. One is next to a garden at the corner of Richmond Road and Boundary Street, the other at the side of Duke of Gloucester beyond the shops and restaurants of Merchants Square. Spurring the ordinance were verbal altercations between protesters and guests dining outside in Merchants Square, and protesters at College Corner whom officials say obstructed the view of drivers.
