Letter to the editor teaser

About 15 minutes before the Greater Idaho meeting at the Wallowa County Courthouse on Feb. 28, I arrived at the meeting, intending to protest what I saw as a violation of the Oregon Constitution’s Article I, Section 8 (free speech) as well as the 16th Article on boundaries. I also believed it was a violation of my federal First Amendment rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

I had notified the county commissioners that I intended to undertake an act of civil disobedience during the meeting.

Just as I arrived, I was pulled aside by two Wallowa County sheriffs and told that I had to leave the building. I asked why and was told that I was not allowed to interrupt the meeting for any reason and that I had to leave the building. When I asked what would happen if I refused to leave, I was told that I would be physically removed from the premises and would be trespassed (meaning to be given a notice that if I returned to the courthouse for ANY reason, I would be cited for trespassing and arrested) and would never be allowed to enter the courthouse premises again for life.

When I asked what law I was breaking, I was told that they didn’t need for me to break the law and that I was being asked to leave NOW.

Not wanting to break the law or risk a physical confrontation (as I have a bad back and neck from multiple injuries as a nurse) or risk a scene of public humiliation, I left of my own accord. I had not broken ANY laws. The meeting hadn’t even started. It was a public meeting in a public venue and even had a place to sign in to make comments. This should never have been allowed to occur.

As stated earlier I have a First Amendment right to PEACEFULLY petition the government and what happened that day was an egregious violation of that right. If this were allowed to stand it could have a very chilling effect on the expression of freedom of speech for everyone in all parts of Oregon.

David Arlint

Joseph