AT A TIME WHEN THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE SPEECH
IS BEING EMPHASIZED WORLDWIDE, ARIZONANS MAY
BE FACING LIMITATIONS ON *THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS.
CRONKITE NEWS REPORTER CARRIE ADAMS REPORTS
ON A BILL THAT COULD IMPACT THIS.
CURRENT STATE LAW MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ORDINARY
CITIZENS TO ORGANIZE A PROTEST WITHOUT GOING
THROUGH SEVERAL RESTRICTIONS AND A LOT OF
PAPERWORK.
HOUSE BILL 26-49 COULD CHANGE THAT.
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IT'S A STAPLE OF THE POLITICAL CYCLE...
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AND OF DEMONSTRATIONS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE...
BUT ARIZONA LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO PROTECT
THE RIGHT PROTEST .
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The bill is designed to protect the ordinary
citizens rights to freedom of speech and make
sure the government doesn't interfere with
that because of ambiguous unclear language
in the law.
REPRESENTATIVE MICHELLE UGENTI IS BACKING
HOUSE BILL 2649 THAT WOULD RE-DEFINE THE PROCESS
OF ORGANIZING GROUP FOR POLITICAL ACTION.
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the bill stems from the case of dina galassini,
a fountain hills resident who was trying to
organize a gathering to oppose a local bond
issue... but was told she needed to register
as a political committee.
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IN A STATEMENT...
GALASSINI SAID ?MY FREE SPEECH WAS AFFECTED
WHEN I WAS THREATENED BY GOVERNMENT FOR WANTING
TO STAND ON THE CORNER WITH NEIGHBORS AND
HOLD SIGNS."
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"Under current law there are a few things
you need to do first, if you intend to spend
under $500 you need to effectively pre-register
with the government.
You need to have formed your committee, designated
a chairman and a treasurer, filed something
called an exemption statement with your level
of government" THAT'S WHY STATE ELECTION DIRECTOR
ERIC SPENCER IS HOPING THIS BILL WILL HAVE
A BIG IMPACT.
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"This could be a really good way to reverse
the momentum and push back against that trend
so that the First Amendment has more breathing
space"
AND SPENCER AND UGENTI AGREE THAT "BREATHING
SPACE" COULD HELP AVERT A MINI-CONSTITUTIONAL
CRISIS.
AS THE BILL CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH THE
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, DINA GALASSINI IS DOING
HER PART, CONTINUING TO FIGHT IN COURT TO
PROTECT FREE SPEECH.
CARRIE ADAMS, CRONKITE NEWS
