Some Charleston City Council members want to pass an unconstitutional bill that would prohibit anyone from congregating near “inherently dangerous” intersections in West Virginia’s capital city. This attempt to further criminalize poverty creates numerous concerns for civil liberties. It should be rejected.
If enacted, Bill No. 7889 would effectively prohibit:
- Panhandling
- Politicians from engaging in honk-and-waves
- Union members from exercising their rights to picket
- Newspaper reporters from gathering information
- Student-led and other charitable fundraisers
- Protests on public sidewalks and walkways
“That these areas may experience heavier traffic underscores precisely why the sidewalks and public areas that fall within the scope of this proposed ordinance are valuable forums within which individuals must be free to engage in protected speech,” American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia Legal Director Loree Stark wrote in a letter to Charleston City Council members.
The bill has already cleared one committee hurdle. City Council’s Public Safety Committee will consider the bill at 5:30 p.m. today. If passed, it would then be taken up by the whole council.
We urge our supporters to contact their representatives on Charleston City Council to voice their opposition to this dangerous, anti-free speech bill.
To find your council member’s contact information, visit https://www.charlestonwv.gov/government/city-council