What does the First Ammendment mean?

[Major Robert Dump]

Certain areas in public space during special events etc are deemed as being "free speech zones" in expectation of people exerting "free speech." Protestors or whoever are supposed to stay in these zones, although the zones may not be clearly marked or pointed out to people planning on using "free speech." If a police officer or valid security person tells you to shut up and move away, and you do not, you can be arrested for using "free speech" outside of the "free speech zone."

Had this happened in the White House press room, she would not have been arrested. Had this happened in the 12x12 "free speech zone" in a public park where the dignitaries were speaking, this would not have happened (the zone would have been over a hill and behind some trees, btw).

These laws usually expire after the event, unless we are talking about somewhere that is a parmanent fixture. For Example, the cameras can harass the congress on the Capital steps, but not inside the doors.

I'm not saying I like any of this, its just how it is. Some old lady was arrested at a Bush event a few years ago for leaving the "free speech zone" in a park or something. Hillary Clinton also used it quite liberally, in to changing the setup of the event so cameras would be pointed away from free speech zones if they were to focus on the event, she did it by narrowing the spots for cameras to be placed, a real zoning expert she. Don't know about presidents before them, wasn't paying attention

[Banquo's Ghost]

Interesting. So how does the government create a 'free speech zone'? Is it by presidential dictat, a bill in Congress or by application to local law enforcement?

How long can a 'free speech zone' last? Could one be imposed for months or years under, say, a state of emergency?

Have these zones been tested in the Supreme Court and found to be constitutional? Because they look like the thin end of the wedge.

[Xiahou]

My take: They were free to ask her to leave, and then forcibly remove her and charge her with tresspassing(or something similar) when she didnt comply. The charges listed seem like total nonsense.

She has a right to say what she wants- but they dont have to leave her stay on the Whitehouse lawn to do it.

[Duke of Gloucester]

She has a right to say what she wants- but they dont have to leave her stay on the Whitehouse lawn to do it.

That makes sense. You can say what you like, but you can't necessarily say it where and when you like. Or another way of looking at it: she can be arrested for disrupting a State visit, but not for what she actually said.

[Avicenna]

Free speech is nothing but an illusion. Does the law disallowing you from denying the Holocaust sound like free speech?

[Banquo's Ghost]

Free speech is nothing but an illusion. Does the law disallowing you from denying the Holocaust sound like free speech?

My, aren't we the cynic? As I'm sure you know, freedom brings responsibility. The essence of the thread is how far freedom to speak can be allowed to infringe on other's rights. Some countries have laws like the one you note, because they have concerns about the effects of peddling lies. AFAIK, the US has no such law.

If you think free speech is an illusion, you might want to try speaking your mind in Burma, N Korea, China and a hundred other countries that believe freedom is over-rated.

[makkyo]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The key word here is peaceably. No matter what kind of light you shine on what this lady said, calling for the downfall of the President of China is hardly peaceful.

There are political things to consider as well. Like it or not, the US needs good relations with China to avoid world war three. When this lady says "Your time is running out," and the US were to let her go, I doubt that Hu Jintao would think kindly toward the US.