Officers block political party from holding fundraiser
10:12 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2006
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Topeka — What started out as a fundraising weekend for the Kansas Libertarian Party turned into a showdown with the law.
A wall of Shawnee County Sheriff’s Officers met party members as they tried to enter the Lake Edun facility, where their event was scheduled to take place.
“It’s very simple. We have to stand up to the government when the government is wrong,” Rob Hodgkinson, Kansa Libertarian Party Chairman, said. “The government is wrong in this situation.”
Judge Terry Bullock placed a court order on the property in 2005. The order prohibited any activities from taking place on the property without a permit.
“We intend to enforce the court order, nothing more, nothing less,” Under Sheriff Donald Burns, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, said.
But Edun owner Webb Garlinghouse said having a permit requirement for his property is no different than having the law tell him who he can invite into his home.
“I can have people in my house to visit, but I can’t have people out to my property to visit,” Garlinghouse said.
Officers stood ready when Webb and Hodgkinson made one last stand to try and keep the fundraiser in Edun.
Hodgkinson said he just wants his party to have the chance to assemble, and prepare for the August primaries.
“Private property owners trying to hold a political fundraiser. How many are happening right now all through Kansas with the primaries coming up in three weeks? How many fundraisers are being held on private property?” Hodgkinson asked. “You bet I’m frustrated.”
Police did not arrest anyone at the confrontation. Members of the Libertarian Party said they will still hold their fundraiser this weekend, but they moved the event to Ron Lessman’s Truck Henge property in Northeast Topeka.
Comments
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Jul. 11, 2006 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)hereticzero (anonymous)
This goes to prove law enforcement officers are not 'peace officers'. They enforce the laws of the Nazi parties that rule America whether Republican or Democrat. This is a clear violation of personal freedom!
Jul. 12, 2006 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)manymileman (anonymous)
I have lived many places in this country and have never experienced anything of this nature. What has happened, according to this report, is at "best" - restrictive; inhibiting third party expression in our society. I am not a resident of Kansas, yet word of this heavy-handed community action has reached me while living 1600 miles away. This community in Kansas should be ashamed of itself for allowing such an unAmerican activity to have taken place. The political party is owed an apology by the local community leaders who have been chosen by the residents to represent them.
Jul. 12, 2006 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)edwardp (anonymous)
Webb Garlinghouse is right. The government can now apparently tell you who may visit your property, and if they feel like it, then they can simply take the property from you anyway. It's these kinds of preposterous laws that encourage lawlessness, since the only rational way to do what's right is to simply work around the law. Does the judge who wrote this law think he is preventing dangerous political parties from assembling? Surely he is not. I would honestly like to know the rationale behind such a law.
It's almost like legislators sit around getting bored all day until they decide to inch away more and more liberties from the goverened until we're not allowed to do anything that might detract from the "public good." Whatever that is.
Jul. 13, 2006 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)ImALibertarian (anonymous)
So what's new?
The first amendment - which prohibits the government of any jurisdiction from abridging freedom of speach or assembly to seek redress of griviences - has been ignored by Republicans and Democrats for years.
Jul. 14, 2006 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)Republicae (anonymous)
It is obviously time for the People to once again stand against the tyranny that has reared it's ugly head in this country. It is time to take back the government, take back this country and remove those who have no respect for the People, the Consitution or this Nation.
Jul. 15, 2006 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)RobertoAlvarezGalloso (anonymous)
It is a crime that the Republicans and Democrats have created a climate of fear, hatred similar to the Nazis, Communists [Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela]. It is now the time to remove the Republican/Democrat Tyranny and replace it with a Libertarian Statesman.
I want people to look at lp.org
Jul. 15, 2006 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)RobertoAlvarezGalloso (anonymous)
Republicans+Democrats = Tyranny
Jul. 16, 2006 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)MikePGS (anonymous)
They should make some sort of law that allows people to freely assemble. Better yet, why don't we stick it somewhere in the constitution, like maybe near the top so people will see it easily?
Jul. 24, 2006 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)john1970 (anonymous)
Just another judge overstepping his bounds, to support political interests. Judges are nothing but political tools these days .. quite duisgusting.
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