LAST DAY to sign onto a letter opposing protest fees on the National Mall. See below from Hannah at TWS!

 

 

I’m sharing a letter the Wilderness Society is circulating in opposition to the National Park Service’s proposed rulemaking to begin introducing fees for protests on the National Mall. We invite you to sign on to the letter and please feel free to share with organizations outside of the conservation community as well to demonstrate opposition from organizations focused on all issue areas.

 

In response to an increased number of permit requests, the National Park Service is proposing to institute fees for First Amendment demonstrations at the National Mall and Memorial Parks and President’s Park. The fees would go towards processing permit requests, monitoring the permitted use, and restoring park areas. Under current policy, NPS charges fees for special events (ie concerts and weddings), but not for First Amendment demonstrations (ie protests and marches). NPS seeks comment on instituting fees for demonstrations.

 

We are deeply concerned that this proposal would infringe on Americans’ rights to free speech and assembly. The financial barrier would preclude equal opportunity and access, dissuading and prohibiting some Americans from demonstrating. The ability to afford fees for permits must not be a factor in who gets the opportunity to protest at our most iconic and politically significant sites.

 

Please see our letter of opposition below and attached. To sign on, email Hannah Malvin at Hannah_Malvin@tws.org by COB Wednesday, October 10th. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

 

Signers so far include NAACP, SEIU, the Hispanic Federation, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Women’s Law Center, Human Rights Campaign, Sierra Club, National Resources Defense Council, Campaign for Accountability, Patagonia, National Council of Jewish Women, Jews United for Justice, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), National LGBTQ Task Force, People for the American Way Foundation, Bend the Arc, National Black Justice Coalition, National Equality Action Team, Earthjustice, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Juvenile Justice Network, Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN), Athlete Ally, Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education Professionals, Defending Rights & Dissent, Friends of the Earth US, the American Library Association, Oceana, Hip Hop Caucus, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, and more.

 

Hannah Malvin

Senior Representative for Partnerships

The Wilderness Society | The Wilderness Society Action Fund

ph 202-429-3941

 

 

October XX, 2018 

  

Mr. Brian Joyner 

Chief of Staff, National Mall and Memorial Parks 

National Park Service 

900 Ohio Drive SW 

Washington, DC 20024 

  

Dear Mr. Joyner: 

 

We write to express our deep concern over proposed rulemaking RIN 1024-AE45, issued August 7, 2018, which would revise the National Park Service’s protest permitting process regarding demonstrations at the National Mall, Memorial Parks, and President’s Park.  

 

This proposal would infringe on Americans’ rights to free speech and assembly. Forcing Americans to pay to lawfully assemble at our most iconic and politically significant sites places a financial barrier that precludes equal opportunity and access, dissuading and prohibiting Americans from demonstrating. The ability to afford fees for permits must not be a factor in who gets the opportunity to protest on these public lands. Introducing fees for First Amendment demonstrations would represent an overwhelming departure from American values.  

 

We strongly urge you to revise the proposed rule and maintain access to vibrant, participatory democracy for all Americans regardless of socioeconomic status or support from wealthy donors. Protesting is a cornerstone of American democracy. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech … or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”  

 

Over centuries, Americans have come together from near and far and lifted their voices, from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech advancing the civil rights movement to the 2017 Women’s March, the largest demonstration in American history. Americans have cried out signifying ardent diversity of thought on a wide variety of issues spanning from war and peace to the economy, the environment, civil rights, human rights, and more. There is a fundamental personal dignity in protest—the insistence that one’s voice matters. Protesting is also a patriotic act, as Americans show up to help steer the path of our country. As we work to fulfill the promise of this country, we must never restrict access to the public lands surrounding its halls of power. 

 

Thank you for your commitment to preserving our cultural history and natural resources. As you work to manage an increase in requests for permits and maintain your commitment to preserving visitor experience, resource protection, and public safety, we trust you will reconsider this proposal and ensure that the right of all Americans to express their beliefs in our nation’s capital will be safeguarded. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

The Wilderness Society