Nomination papers signature collection legal question

[janet118]

Can you help me?

A friend and I were collecting signatures for Elizabeth Warren and Terry Murray outside the Plymouth Library (our town library) when a woman who worked there came out and told us that there was no "political" activity allowed on the library property and that we had to leave. She said that if there were any questions, we should contact the library director on Monday.

This is after we were refused access to the local supermarket parking lot for signature collection. Since that was private property, we went to the library.

I know that it is mandatory that post offices allow you to collect signatures as long as you don't block the door (can't wait 'til their privatized, eh?) but what about libraries, town halls and other publicly owned properties? Does anyone know what the law is?

Thank you in advance.

[janet118]

3. There was no talking to this woman . . .

We told her that we had the right to gather signatures on municipal property open to the public. She would not listen. I wanted to tell her to call the police if she thought we didn't have a first amendment right to be there, but the person I was with wasn't up for a confrontation. I decided to wait until I found the specific law citation.

[janet118]

5. Not in our town . . .

the police usually side with the public employee rather than the public citizen. It's better to be armed ahead of time. I found the law (see post below) and we will notify the director about the substantial penalties included in the law for any interference with our 1st Amendment and Civil Rights. We should have no further problems. Next Saturday will be way different.

[MADem]

7. I'd call the Town Manager, or the Mayor, or the Attorney General's office, if you have to.

Be very charming and just tell them you're calling with regard to a point of law. If you get the thumbs up, you can tell the lady to call the appropriate authority--if you have the phone number already written on a piece of paper, so much the better.

I've signed nomination petitions in supermarket parking lots before. Someone is being a jerk to you, I think.

[janet118]

2. Bingo!! I will be showing this to library director on Monday.

SOLICITAION OF SIGNATURES IN PUBLIC PLACES

Still, I'm angry at the fact that we lost the time today because of one librarian who decided to act like a cop. We were well away from the door and didn't bother anyone other then to ask if they were a registered Plymouth voter and, if they said yes, if they were registered as unenrolled or Democrat. Although one grumpy old man started ranting at us about abortion in China, we kept silent and did not respond. Why are so many old guys so concerned with abortion anyway?

We will definitely be there next Saturday. And I will hand out copies of this law to everyone else who volunteers in case they are harassed.

[MADem]

8. Wow--that's it. If that librarian continues to give you shit, tell her you want the spelling of

name, so you spell it correctly in the editorial you plan to write for the local paper about illegal and improper voter suppression by public town employees.

That's never an easy gig--you get all sorts.

[SamG]

6. Go to Plymouth selectman's meeting and demand

that the library employee be sanctioned, docked pay, and perhaps fired. There is no excuse for breaking the law while on the public payroll.

Obstruction of legal activity is often a felony. See how far you can go with this, perhaps Globe and Channel 2 will pick this up.