Sharia in Minnesota: free speech under fire as man faces hearing for "anti-Islam" posters

[Heaven soon]

Sharia in Minnesota: free speech under fire as man faces hearing for "anti-Islam" posters

Dhimmi pseudo-journalist Dave Aeikins (that is how his name is spelled at the St. Cloud Times site, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was a typo) doesn't mention in this story that the attorneys in Benton and Stearns counties declined to file criminal charges against Elyea because they recognized that what he did -- no matter how obnoxious it may have been, and I have not seen the material he posted -- was protected on First Amendment grounds.

That fact in itself gives the lie to the St. Cloud City Attorney Matt Staehling's claim that he is being prosecuted only for violating the city's ordinance against posting items on city poles. Elyea's attorney says, "Our basic argument is, we live in a country where you should be able to say what you want. Even controversial statements about political or religious views are protected by the First Amendment." Staehling appears to be pandering to Hamas-linked CAIR and to the Muslim community in Minnesota, and catering to its distaste for the freedom of speech.

An update on this story. "Hearing set for Waite Park man who put up anti-Islamic posters," by Dave Aeikens for the St. Cloud Times, June 24 (thanks to Twostellas):

    Sidney Elyea admits he did it. He posted those anti-Islam posters on utility poles near a Somali-owned business and the Islamic Center.

    The city attorney says the Waite Park man violated the city's ordinance against posting items on city poles and should pay a fine. Elyea says he's being punished because people didn't like what he put on his posters. He was just exercising his First Amendment rights.

    An administrative hearing this afternoon at the Lake George Municipal Building will be used to determine who is right.

    It's an unusual case that stirred emotions when the graphic posters showed up around town in December. The St. Paul-based Council on American-Islamic Relations conducted a public forum to discuss their impact. The Stearns and Benton County attorneys declined to prosecute. In January, the city issued two citations to Elyea, saying he violated city ordinances prohibiting the posting of materials on city fixtures.

    The fine for each civil citation is $250, and efforts to settle have been rejected by Elyea, whose lawyer says there is a constitutional principle at stake here -- that people have First Amendment rights even when most disagree with the message.

    "Our basic argument is, we live in a country where you should be able to say what you want. Even controversial statements about political or religious views are protected by the First Amendment," said Ryan Garry, a Minneapolis-based criminal defense lawyer who is defending Elyea in the case....

    The drawings contained explicit depictions of bestiality and sodomy, contained images of the Prophet Muhammad in derogatory positions and contained pictures and words offensive to Muslims in particular.

    Garry argues that if Elyea had put up a sign about a garage sale or a lost kitten, his client would not have been cited.

    St. Cloud City Attorney Matt Staehling said that is not case.

    "I'm sure that is what they will argue; I think we have evidence to controvert that," Staehling said.

    Staehling said the city occasionally hands out citations for violations of the city ordinance against hanging things on utility poles. This is the first time it has gone to an administrative hearing, he said....

    He has received some support from anti-Muslim bloggers, but has not gotten any backing from the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota or any other group that often stands up for unpopular speech.

Apparently dhimmi pseudo-journalist Dave Aeikins believes it is "anti-Muslim" to stand up for the freedom of speech. How very interesting, and revealing.

    Minnesota ACLU Executive Director Chuck Samuelson said he finds the case interesting, but his organization has not been asked to take part.

And you know, of course, that the ACLU always waits for an engraved invitation.

    Samuelson said Elyea could win the case if his lawyer can show the utility pole ordinance is not being enforced evenly.

    "Our position is that, what Elyea did was protected by the First Amendment. I believe he has been treated differently than others have been treated in this situation," Garry said.

    Samuelson said the government showed great restraint in not pressing charges for what was printed on the posters.

    "The interesting thing, and I commend the county attorney for this, is not going after the topic directly. The government should not be involved in content, as reprehensible as it is," Samuelson said.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/

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