ACLU sues New Orleans over Police Security Fees

Posted on November 20, 2006

Cross Posted from Revealing The ACLU: Only the ACLU would see this issue an a free-speech issue. From the Associated Press:

The city is stifling free speech – and threatening a unique part of its culture – by charging steep fees for police escorts at the jazz-and-parasol processions called second lines, the ACLU alleged in a federal lawsuit Thursday.

[...]

The fees are so excessive they will infringe on clubs’ First Amendment rights by preventing them from holding parades, the ACLU argues.

The only way this could be a first amendment issue is if the city of New Orleans was not charging consistent fees in these cases, or targeting specific groups who’s speech they disagree with, with unreasonable fees.

The ACLU has not taken into account, it seems, the reason for the increased fees.

Police raised fees from about $1,200 to about $4,000 this year after two second-line parades were marred by gunfire. One person was killed and several others wounded.

Franz Zibilich, an assistant city attorney, said that the cash-strapped city is in a no-win situation because it would be blamed for not providing more officers at the processions, and that it needs to raise fees to pay for them.

It is unreasonable for the ACLU to assume this is a first amendment issue when it actually one of simple economics. In addition, we are not talking about a large amount of money – let the ACLU pick up the $4k tab, they can certainly afford it, and it is about time they do something good for society. In addition, a bit of well placed publicity would likely find some corporate sponsors willing to pick up that tab. The press alone would be worth the money.

It is a sad world in which we live when the club of civil liberties is used so carelessly against cities like New Orleans which can least afford it.

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One Response to “ACLU sues New Orleans over Police Security Fees”

kerwin_brown on November 22nd, 2006 2:20 am

The city should not be coerced into providing security for a private event just because of where it is held. If these groups are willing to provide their own security that will stop the violence I see no reason they need to pay the city government.