AR17: Resolution Text

LRB-3317/1

SRM:wlj:ph

2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Assembly RESOLUTION 17

October 25, 2011 - Introduced by Representatives Pocan, C. Taylor, Kessler, Hintz, Vruwink, Mason, Pasch, Berceau, Sinicki, Doyle, Danou, Jorgensen, Turner, Steinbrink, Hulsey, Hebl, Clark, Seidel, Roys, E. Coggs, Bernard Schaber, Molepske Jr, Radcliffe, Ringhand, Pope-Roberts, Bewley, Barca and Young. Referred to Committee on Assembly Organization.

AR17,1,1 Relating to: protecting First Amendment rights.

AR17,1,3 Whereas, both the Wisconsin and U.S. constitutions protect each individual's right to exercise freedom of speech and expression; and

AR17,1,6 Whereas, our communities and state benefit when our government is open and transparent, and encourages and facilitates citizen participation in the legislative process; and

AR17,1,8 Whereas, the Wisconsin capitol is the people's house and should be open to the people; and

AR17,1,11 Whereas, individuals who have been peacefully assembled and nondisruptive have been removed from the assembly gallery for affixing communications to their clothing or carrying small, unobtrusive slogans and signs; and

AR17,1,14 Whereas, an individual's right to participate and observe the legislative process is not dependent on any message affixed to his or her attire, which constitutes the peaceful expression of that individual's views; and

AR17,2,3 Whereas, an individual's right to participate peacefully in the legislative process should not be conditioned on surrendering his or her protected First Amendment rights; and

AR17,2,6 Whereas, the role of the state assembly should not be to prohibit peaceful expression or to proscribe ideas of those assembled in the assembly gallery, but should encourage citizen participation in our government; now, therefore, be it

AR17,2,10 Resolved by the assembly, That the assembly recognizes and encourages each individual's participation in the legislative process, each individual's right to observe the legislative process, and each individual's peaceful expression of his or her views in the assembly gallery.

AR17,2,11 (End)