Skinner eases restrictions on protesters

The right-to-life demonstrators who assemble regularly on Sudley Road at Forestwood Lane have their stomping grounds back.

Manassas police Chief John J. Skinner recently restricted the area set aside for demonstrations because he got complaints that the demonstrators blocked the sight of drivers who were trying to turn onto Sudley Road from Forestwood Lane.

Aaron Messier, Tom Mosimann and Ken Groves disagreed with Skinner’s initial move and took their grievances to the Manassas City Council last week.
On Monday, Skinner informed the Manassas City Council that he now plans to reverse course and ease restrictions in the future.

Skinner told the council that he looked into the complaints, studied court cases, reviewed city ordinance, talked to the people involved, consulted the city attorney and finally decided to lift the restrictions based on the First Amendment and the group’s right to freedom of speech.

He said his research led him to the conclusion that he was legally bound to ease the restrictions.

“After that consultative discussion, with both the city attorney and the city manager as well as the folks who generally obtain the demonstration permits, it was evident to me that the city should relax those restrictions,” Skinner said.

In addition, Skinner allowed the maximum number of participants at any one time to increase from 30 to 200, providing the group gives advance notice of demonstrations to the police department and the city manager.

In the past, the city has also restricted the number of signs the protesters could use at any one time to five.

Skinner upped that too.

Now the demonstrators can bring as many signs as they want.

The size of the signs remains limited to 24 by 36 inches each, and the signs may be attached to wooden handles with no sharp ends.

Skinner also lifted the restriction prohibiting demonstrators from the south side of the service road entrance from Sudley Road onto Forestwood Lane.

“We do believe that these changes are necessary now to avoid future challenges later,” Skinner told the council.

Mosimann, who is not affillilated with the right-to-life group but knows people who demonstrate at the intersection, said he went before the city council to protect freedom of speech in the city.

He said he was happy with Skinner’s decision.

“They were very cooperative. They did everything they could to reasonably address safety concerns while fully respecting — as much as they could — freedom of speech,” Mosimann said of the police department.

Manassas Mayor Harry J. “Hal” Parrish II said it’s important to safeguard constitutional rights.

“It is paramount that we watch and ensure the First Amendment rights of all of our citizens. It’s important for citizens to know that we’re doing exactly that,” Parrish said.

Skinner said city officials would be reviewing city ordinance.

“There’s a great deal of legal research because this is a First Amendment issue,” he said.

Councilwoman Sheryl L. Bass asked City Attorney Martin Crim if the number of children at the site could be considered in any future permitting.

“I worry about their safety. I don’t know how that can be addressed,” Bass said.

“That’s a very tough issue to address because you don’t want to have some broad ruling in advance that limits children’s First Amendment rights because they do have First Amendment rights,” Crim answered.

“In most cases it’s going to be best handled by police on the scene,” Crim said of safety issues. “Courts have been very respectful of on-the-spot decisions by police officers based on a particular situation.”

Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.