FSSP attorney Christopher Finney has filed a complaint against Andover Township, Ohio, for blocking a Constitution Day rally. Andover Township officials bizarrely claimed that the rally–scheduled to coincide with the date prescribed by Congress for education about and celebration of the Constitution–would be “too political,” and therefore inappropriate for the township’s public square.
The Constitution, of course, specifically protects the rights of the people to speak freely and peaceably assemble.
Joining FSSP on the pleadings were Maurice Thompson of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law (of which Finney is also a board member) and Curt Hartman. As Thompson astutely noted, “The government’s action in this case, ironically, demonstrates the need for greater public understanding of Constitutional rights. One way to do that is through commemoration of Constitution Day.”
This post was written by Jeffrey M. Nye.
