Question -- Where are the "free speech" zones for protesters?

[sojourner]

I haven't heard about them and was just wondering whether they are gone (for good, one would hope) or if now that WE are the winners, they aren't OUR problem (perhaps even, just retribution for 8 years of being corralled like cattle?)

[SpiralHawk]

1. The Free Speech Zones were a Republicon Homelander innovation

and have nothing to do with the Unite States of America.

We Americans don't need no steenkin Homelander totalitarianim.

[sojourner]

2. YAY! --- & thanks for your reply! but I'm waiting for more confirmation...

I really hope that those corrals are a thing of the past. And that it will shame those who devised them into realizing that they are really thugs and cowards.

[No Elephants]

3. I remember the free speech zones set up in Boston in 2004 for the DNC

Convention, That was the first time I'd heard of them, but maybe I'm mistaken. I found them appalling, but I understand it from a safety and logistical perspective.

[sojourner]

7. I remember them as something that Bushco invented but, Wiki says they've been around since '88

Bush era simply expanded their use (concurrent to expansion of "police state"?) -- but you're right, they've been used at DNC, RNC as well as during other significant political events.

Wiki:"The most prominent examples are those created by the United States Secret Service for President George W. Bush and other members of his administration.<3> Free speech zones existed in limited forms prior to the Presidency of George W. Bush; it has been during Bush's presidency that their scope has been greatly expanded."

[No Elephants]

16. No disagreement. about when they started, but 2004 DNC was the first time I heard of them. BTW,

my son volunteered for Kerry then and got to sit on the stage one night, very near.....the keynote speaker, now President Elect. He came home before the evening session the next day, telling me Obama would be President. Ah I love them both so much (but that does not mean I think everything my son or Obama does is just the best thing ever!).

[sojourner]

17. i hear you and agree 100% -- how cool for your son!!

[Lucky 13]

4. I think "free speech" zones are over...

... at least I hope.

It may not even warrant an "announcement"... just obvious by the way things are being handled?
:shrug:

[sojourner]

13. ditto your sentiments ...

but likewise unsure, thus the question. :-)

[Stephanie]

5. A friend at the Mall yesterday reported she saw about 30 protestors

Not sure where, but the turnout sounds about the same as at every other event. They talk big but they don't show up.

[sojourner]

12. were they in cages, did she say?

[Merlot]

6. "Where are the protesters?" might be a better question

Obama won, he wasn't appointed. There were no "close" states that tipped the election. The election isn't tainted.

And really, how many repub protesters are there? Remember the famous picture of the 20 or so freerepublick protester under a canopy during the Iraq war protest? And remember the press trying to give them equal time to the 100's of thousands of war protesters? repubs don't protest much, it's a lot of work and organization, and getting off your butt. If they aren't orgnized and bussed in like school children, they don't do much.

[sojourner]

10. "Obama won".........amen to that! Thank gods

[ddeclue]

8. I think they are gone - the protesters seem to be non existent as well.

:)

[sojourner]

11. i'm just wondering...since progressive protests weren't reported so much either, in the past.

[Occam Bandage]

9. We don't need 'em, in large part because virtually nobody feels the need to protest.

Obama has an 80% approval rating, and the people who don't like him are mostly idiot freepers incapable of tearing themselves from their Operation Iraqi Freedom - Awesomest Explosions DVD.

[sojourner]

14. oh yeah.......that stat would help account for few protesters wouldn't it? YAY!

[sojourner]

15. link to article about free speech zones...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/04/INGPQ40MB81.DTL&type=printable