DETROIT – A federal judge ordered the Genesee County Parks to immediately halt enforcement of a rule banning volunteers from the Committee to Recall Governor Snyder to petition anywhere in a 135-acre park but an isolated 3 foot by 3 foot area.
The order also prevents the County from requiring petitioners to obtain a permit before seeking signatures in the park. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, who is representing the petitioners, and Genesee County Parks officials agreed to provisions of the court order as a temporary measure while the case continues to be litigated in federal court.
The following statement can be attributed to Michael J. Steinberg, ACLU of Michigan legal director:
“We are pleased that petitioners will now be able to exercise their free speech rights throughout the public parks of Genesee County without a permit. Hopefully, government officials throughout the state will follow the lead of Genesee County and recognize the right to petition and speak out on public issues in public parks and on public sidewalks is a cherished and time-honored American value.”
Key News and Documents
Read the temporary restraining order
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