Summary of Incident
The Amarillo group, Question the War Amarillo, was concerned about the actions of Amarillo Police during their peaceful demonstration and vigil held on October 26, 2005.
During the demonstration, a police officer forced the protesters to re-locate their protest from a pedestrian sidewalk they were using to display a banner to oncoming traffic to another area that was not as visible to oncoming traffic. The officer said the protesters were on a traffic median and made them move. The protesters felt that their First Amendment constitutional right that guaranties all citizens "the freedom of speech" and "the right of peaceably assembly" was violated by the officer's actions.
The ACLU of Texas High Plains Chapter wrote a letter expressing our concerns to The Honorable Debra McCartt, Mayor of the city of Amarillo, Jerry Neal, Chief of Police of the Amarillo Police Department, and Allan Taylor, City Manager for the city of Amarillo. To view this letter, please click here.
The ACLU of Texas High Plains Chapter received a letter, dated January 9, 2006, from the Amarillo City Attorney, that in essence agreed with our concerns and offered a "supervisor to come to the location for future First Amendment questions." To view this letter, please click here.
In addition he mailed us "Tips For a lawful Picket, Protest, Etc. In Amarillo, TX" prepared by The Office of the Amarillo City Attorney. To view the tips, please click here. The ACLU of Texas High Plains Chapter has forwarded the letter from The Office of the Amarillo City Attorney and "Tips For a lawful Picket, Protest, Etc In Amarillo, TX" to the Amarillo group, Question the War Amarillo.
The ACLU of Texas High Plains Chapter sent a letter dated January 25, 2006, to Marcus W. Norris, City Attorney City of Amarillo, to thank him for his response. To view this letter, please click here.
