05/05/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Roost stated that he has concerns that the one percent of ~ the square footage which must be devoted to the free speech area ~ might be in an area that is not accessible to the public. Irv Fletcher, Lane County Labor Council, stated that working people have an interest in this topic. The covered shopping center mall area has taken the place of "Main Street," but the rights of the people or citizens to take their message to the public has not yet been clearly defined by the courts. Mr. Fletcher stated his idea of the issue is whether shopping cen- ters should be required to place a "sidewalk" within their boundaries. The rights of labor organizations to have access to covered malls when a bona fide labor dispute exists is not at issue here. This amendment does not affect labor organizations. He believes the free speech right of "Main Street II should be extended to shopping malls. Tim Shorrock, PO Box 3335, stated that he is a former co-worker of Cynthia KoklS. He stated this is a perfect example of a law made under a capitalistic society. It is typical of those laws made in a society ruled by those who are private property owners. One person went to a shopping mall with the purpose of encouraging people to buy. She had a sign that said not to buy one product and was led away in handcuffs and taken to jail. He does not feel there is a more graphic example of the laws of free enterprise and how they work in this country. He believes free speech must be protected. The ordinance needs to go much farther ~ than it does. Free speech areas should be visible and he would urge the City Council to pass this ordinance. Jane Alward, 2100 Madison, stated she had helped with the "Year of the Child" exhibit and is in favor of free speech. She asked if there would be someone who would be screening who would be allowed to participate in the free speech area if it were created. She had applied also for a permit to have an exhibit on the downtown mall and was sent by the Parks Depart- ment to Eugene Downtown Association where she said she was put through an inquisition by the secretary there; she feels her rights were infringed upon. Bill Uhlhorn, 2625 Hilyard, stated he is a proponent of the principles of capitalism. He quoted Milton Friedman, a con- servative economist, and stated that free enterprise flourishes when there is the free exchange of knowledge, ideas, and infor- mation. There can only be voluntary contractual agreements when people are free to reason by means of discussion and persuasion with one another, and there can only be a democratic process when people have the information to make good decisions. He stated the second issue which needs to be dealt with is that e 5/5/80--4