"Hecklers’ Veto" Not Applicable to Patriots United Forum on Health Care

Robert Waddell holds up a sign.

Seeing all the police at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn Friday night reminded me to how city officials effectively caused the cancellation of a peaceful meeting of the Illinois Minutemen. Ohio Sheriff Daniel Beck was scheduled to tell how he dealt with illegal aliens who committed crimes.

A local group announced they would hold a demonstration at the intersection of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road. I think it was across the street from the Holiday Inn.

The Minutemen were told they would have to come up with $3,500 to pay for police needed to control the demonstrators.

Needless to say, this led to the cancellation of the meeting.

Sort of a “Hecklers’ Veto.”

The meeting was re-scheduled at McHenry County College and went off without a hitch. Crystal Lake Police were out in large numbers, however.

I saw nothing that would indicate local protesters, who were allowed to stand protected from the rain with signs in front of the banquet hall entrance, posed any problem, but I’ve been informed that Crystal Lake Police picked up internet chatter that there might be trouble at the meeting and the police asked Patriots United if they could provide security.

At MCC, as at the Holiday Inn last night, the police were being used to protect the First Amendment right of association. I’d say that’s a worthwhile public expenditure, even if the number of officers did appear to be overkill.

Folks carrying signs who parked and walked toward the Holiday Inn were told by police that signs were not allowed. They went back to their cars and left.

= = = = =
Robert Waddell, Algonquin Precinct 41 (which is in Algonquin) Democratic Party Precinct Committeeman is seen holding a homemade sign with fellow protesters outside the covered entrance of the Holiday Inn that says,

Grandma is safe.
Don’t believe the
lies.

He and his family stayed longer than anyone else.

On the other side of his sign appeared

America wants
a ChoiceThe Public Option
Choice


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