Heckler's Veto

The Administration's advice on how to protest:

(from an email sent to group leaders)

>For those considering protesting the
>appearance of Ralph Reed tomorrow evening: In order that you might do so
>in a manner that does not create the possibility of civil action being
>taken against member(s) of your group, it is important that the guidelines
>for protest and those governing the rights of an invited speaker to be
>heard without disruption be followed.
> There is a long-standing tradition at Northwestern of those persons
>who wish to demonstrate against a speaker or his/her massage be permitted
>to do so under the following guidelines:
>
>1. All demonstrations must take place outside of the facility where the
>program is being held. In the case of Tech, the University Police have
>specified an area on the Plaza west of the building near Sheridan Road.
>
>2. The group is free to parade, carry signs (althought they may not be
>attached to sticks) hand out flyers, talk to passerbys and to chant slogans
>so long as the noise created is not disruptive to classes and other
>regularly scheduled academic activity in the area of Tech.
>
>3. In no way may the demonstrators impede those going to the event or
>passing in the area of the demonstration from reaching their destination.
>
>4. No signs may be taken into Tech Auditorium or the foyer outside of the
>auditorium.
>
> For all major speakers where there is concern for possible
>disruption, a member of the University staff reads a message to those in
>attendance regarding the right of the speaker to present his/her message
>free from disruption. This is intended to include chanting, creating a
>disturbance by word and action, or any activities which prevents the
>speaker from presenting his/her message or prohibits audience members from
>listening to that message free from disruptions.
>>Those who would seek to demonstrate in a manner outlined above will be
>>asked to discontinue such activity. If the actions continue, a University
>>Police officer will escort that person out of the building. If the person
>>resists the officer escorting him/her from the building, he/she may be
>>arrested for trespassing.
>>Please understand that anyone in the audience may pose a question. no
>>matter how penetrating, to the speaker during the question and answer
>>period provided that the question is a question and not a statement and
>>provided that the questioner does not engage in actions designed to
>>prohibit a reasonable dialogue on the subject.
>
> As noted above, these guidelines are intended to provide an
>environment where an invited speaker, regardless of the message, may
>present his/her views to the audience free from disruptive behavior.
>Likewise, the speaker is expected to respond in earnest to legitimate
>challenges to the speaker's points of view. Should you have any questions
>or concerns please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

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case page.

http://faculty-web.at.nwu.edu/commstud/freespeech/

Heckler's Veto

The Administration's advice on how to protest:

Back tocase page.

Back to
case page.