Event Details
Peace Group protests new July 4 Huntington Woods Parade rules
Members of the Huntington Woods Peace Group are protesting new city rules that they contend illegally inhibit speech and signage at the city’s annual Fourth of July Parade this Saturday. The new rules were adopted by the city commission in May.
“Signs, banners, vehicles, clothing or any other form of messaging may only state the name of the (parading) group.” the new rules say. Political statements are no longer allowed.
This rule is in blatant violation of the free speech guarantees of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, according to Michael J. Steinberg, Director of the Michigan Law Civil Rights Initiative at the University of Michigan and former Legal Director of the Michigan ACLU. In a June 12 letter to City Manager Andrew Pazuchowski, Steinberg wrote, “the rules betray the bedrock principles of free speech upon which our country was founded . . .the new parade rules flunk constitutional muster because they are neither content neutral nor viewpoint neutral.”
The Huntington Woods Peace Group has had a presence in the parade for its entire 23-year history, advocating for civil rights and causes such as an end to conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and South America. At the parade, some Peace Group members may protest by wearing tape on their mouths, carrying blank signs or signs displaying only a depiction of the peace dove.
Peace Group steering committee member Ronald Aronson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the History of Ideas at Wayne State University, said that the Peace Group would seriously consider legal remedies if the city attempts to enforce the unconstitutional rules.
The parade is scheduled to begin Saturday at 10 a.m. at 26363 Woodward Ave. just south of 11 Mile Rd.