Civil libertarians say Governor Carcieri's proposal has the potential to chill legitimate protest, such as picket lines.

10:37 AM EST on Thursday, February 19, 2004

BY JENNIFER LEVITZ
Journal Staff Writer

He accused the state of double talk. He said the governor has a "corporate mind." He pumped his fist in the air, and kept pacing even when a gust took his hat. When cars stopped for a red light, he yelled through the exhaust: No expansion! No expansion! Save our city!

Dan Murphy, a retired phone company repairman, picketed yesterday along a busy, wet road in front of T.F. Green Airport in Warwick because he believes a bigger airport would ruin his city. Murphy also picketed because its his First Amendment right.

Murphy, with a camouflage hat and a salt-and-pepper beard and a voice that carries, was demonstrating with about eight other members of Concerned Airport Neighbors. They were marching at the airport to greet officials arriving for a 5 p.m. meeting of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

Editor's note: Governor Carcieri has proposed legislation that some experts believe would impose limits on how Rhode Islanders exercise the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Providence Journal today explores how the state's citizens use these freedoms daily.

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Organized public protests a cornerstone of American democracy

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Educators are asking who's to say what can be said?

In post-9/11 America, tolerance takes on a special value

R.I. Supreme Court will rule on effort to silence those with grievances

Digital Extra: Read the full text of Governor Carcieri's proposed legislation relating to homeland security

This coalition, mostly people who live around the airport, had planned the demonstration two nights ago at a meeting at Hillsgrove United Methodist Church. Yesterday morning, they read about Governor Carcieri's proposed homeland security bill, which civil libertarians say has the potential to chill legitimate protest -- because picket lines are designed in part to "intimidate or coerce," to change minds.

So the group expanded its cause, adding "free speech" slogans to their signs. Steve Andolfo, a social studies teacher, carried a pocket-size Constitution in his tweed trench coat. "This gets me steamed," he said.

Andolfo is used to protesting. Just recently, he and other teachers went to a school committee meeting to talk about their contract, and when the chairperson wouldn't answer, they burst into a rendition of "God Bless America."

Throughout Rhode Island yesterday, residents such as Andolfo described not only the power of one, but the power of many.

They are protesters, regular people who -- when their passions rise, their taxes go crazy, their schools fail, their elected officials disappoint -- go to the State House or Town Hall. They are examples of how every day, the freedom to assemble and protest is at work in Rhode Island.

Henry J. Shelton was at his office at the George Wiley Center yesterday planning a demonstration Tuesday at the State House. He's telling everyone, sending out fliers, getting notices in church bulletins. Shelton, 73, is head of an organization that cares about jobs and child poverty, among other issues, and will be there with his forces when Carcieri presents his new budget.

Shelton wants to protest high utility bills and tell the governor no poor person should ever have his electricity shut off. He wants more money for needy families.

"When you organize, you're trying to make democracy work," he said. "We're trying to involve people in fighting for their rights. Politicians would love to have people vote once every two years and then be passive the rest of the time. That's not democracy.'

People in power often tell Shelton, you don't have to bring everyone to the State House, just one or two.

But that's not democracy, he'll say.

Journal file photo / Andrew Dickerman HAVING THIER SAY: Supporters of abortion rights mix with a crowd of more than 1,00 abortion foes at the Rhode Island State House in 1992 during a rally marking the 19th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Robert A. Walsh, Jr. director of the National Education Association, met yesterday with educators at the University of Rhode Island, giving them an update about what public schools and colleges can expect in Carcieri's new legislative package. He told them the NEA was looking for less reliance on property tax, more revenue from state -- and hoping the governor would follow through.

"If he doesn't," Walsh said, "one of the tactics we would be likely to use is a rally at the State House."

Rick Brooks represents 4,000 nurses and other health workers in the United Nurses and Allied Professionals union.

Yesterday, he was planning "Health Care Action Day," a demonstration on March 4 at the State House.

"We will have a mock intensive-care unit set up in front of the State House . . . to dramatize the fact that our health-care system is in critical condition."

Why not just write letters to the legislature? He said it's important to be able to communicate a message in a visible and powerful way. It gets attention. And it's a right.

"Our view, and that of most Americans, is that the act of gathering and protesting or expressing is something we view as a sacred and American right."

And at the Providence office of the Rhode Island State Right to Life, executive director Rita Parquette, was still bolstered by the success of the organization's January rally at the State House. More than 400 people attended, all passing through tight security, which took a while. But they stood in the rotunda as the legislators arrived for the Assembly session.

"You should always have the ability to question the authority of laws by your government," said Parquette.