The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #131738   Message #2974658
Posted By: pdq
28-Aug-10 - 01:40 PM
Thread Name: BS: Americans smile at Police Assault
Subject: RE: BS: Americans smile at Police Assault
"But you are right, if that is private property then no he doesn't .."

Not necessarily.

There was a case in California about 30 years ago where some loud, obnoxious protsters were disrupting shoppers in a multi-store mall.

They were forced to leave but filed suit against the mall owners.

The judge decided that the protesters had a right to be there, on private property, because the shopping center was open to the public.

If that precident is still used, the protester mentioned here is free to hold his sign and exercise free speach on any part of the fair grounds that not subject to an entry fee.

Our local fair grounds has several picnic tables and a parking area that are open to anyone at any time of the day, essentially public land although the fair grounds is privately owned.