f you have not taken the time to sign the petition yet
WHAT are you waiting for!!? We need your signature, we need your financial contribution, no matter the size. We need your help as a volunteer signature gatherer.
Some of you may be wondering WHY we are not at certain places, where you might expect a signature gatherer to be. I will tell you it has been difficult, some areas more than others. Some folks believe the 1st amendment only applies to them and not to us.
· Rockin The Rivers: We were told that it a petitioner was seen on the grounds, their bracelet would be cut off and they would be removed from the grounds, including the campgrounds. Unfortunately the owners of the small business, convenience store down the road felt the pressure and told us that while they didnt have any opinion, they felt that they would feel negative repercussions from allowing us to solicit signatures at their store. We understand the small business owners fear, but abhor the hypocrisy of the Rockin The River Management.
· Any event at the METRA in Billingsour signature gatherers were removed from the area during the Motley Crue concert and subsequent events
· County Fairs across the stateRegardless of the fact that these are public events held on taxpayer property, we have been forcibly removed from MANY fairgrounds. In some areas donations were raised to pay for a booth to be inside the fairgrounds. This is a terrible waste of precious financial resources to work a public event.
· Farmers Marketssome have been generous, some (Billings) have called police on our signature gatherers, even as they were walking inside the market, NOT soliciting signatures.
· Walmartdont even think about it
· Downtown Tonight, Missoulaour signature gatherers were told they could stand by the toilets, 50 yards away from the actual event.
I guess the point is that our first amendment rights disappear if we dont insist on them. Petitioning the government in accordance with our own state constitution is the purest form of the First Amendment. It is shameful that even the police do not defend them.
Some of you may be wondering WHY we are not at certain places, where you might expect a signature gatherer to be. I will tell you it has been difficult, some areas more than others. Some folks believe the 1st amendment only applies to them and not to us.
· Rockin The Rivers: We were told that it a petitioner was seen on the grounds, their bracelet would be cut off and they would be removed from the grounds, including the campgrounds. Unfortunately the owners of the small business, convenience store down the road felt the pressure and told us that while they didnt have any opinion, they felt that they would feel negative repercussions from allowing us to solicit signatures at their store. We understand the small business owners fear, but abhor the hypocrisy of the Rockin The River Management.
· Any event at the METRA in Billingsour signature gatherers were removed from the area during the Motley Crue concert and subsequent events
· County Fairs across the stateRegardless of the fact that these are public events held on taxpayer property, we have been forcibly removed from MANY fairgrounds. In some areas donations were raised to pay for a booth to be inside the fairgrounds. This is a terrible waste of precious financial resources to work a public event.
· Farmers Marketssome have been generous, some (Billings) have called police on our signature gatherers, even as they were walking inside the market, NOT soliciting signatures.
· Walmartdont even think about it
· Downtown Tonight, Missoulaour signature gatherers were told they could stand by the toilets, 50 yards away from the actual event.
I guess the point is that our first amendment rights disappear if we dont insist on them. Petitioning the government in accordance with our own state constitution is the purest form of the First Amendment. It is shameful that even the police do not defend them.
