PELPHREY VOLUNTEER DETAINED WHILE CAMPAIGNING IN PUBLIC PARK
Ranger, Bike Patrol Treat Leafletting Like a Crime
The First Amendment rights of a campaign volunteer for Sixth District Congressionalcandidate Gary Pelphrey were violated today when he was detained by a park ranger andamember of the Bike Patrol at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Pelphrey and another volunteer were farther down the area's jogging path at the time ofthe 15-minute detention, also handing out leaflets inviting walkers and joggers to apublic-policy discussion Pelphrey is holding at 7:00 pm tomorrow on "The Challengesof Maturing America" at the Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Avenue in downtownMarietta.
Pelphrey spoke with Park Ranger Bittner, who cited a Federal regulation banning the"posting . . . or distribution" of "commercial notices or advertising"in national parks. Earlier, in letting the volunteer off with a warning, Bittner hadmentioned a harsher rule (with a mandatory appearance in Federal court) againstsolicitation of business in a national park.
Bittner identified the Bike Patrol member, who first stopped the volunteer and escortedhim out to the recreation area's parking lot to wait for Bittner, as an off-duty localsheriff's deputy.
Thira cheap hotelsAsked to call his supervisor, Connie Vogel-Brown, Bittner said he couldn't get hold ofher. A few minutes later, Pelphrey called the dispatch number Bittner had given him -- andoverheard a radio call from Bittner saying he needed to contact "240." Pelphreytold the dispatcher he wanted to talk with "240" as well, and within an hourVogel-Brown called him.
hoteles en BledGary says, "This incident is a telling example of our desperate need to reformcampaigns and elections. I knew that people could get arrested in Tienanmen Square forleafletting, but who would have thought it could happen on the Chattahoochee?
inn reservation HeraklionFor more information:
John A. La Pietra, Communications Director