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Panel on the 'Role of Protests in American Democracy' Features Discussion with Free Speech Advocates Involved in Local First Amendment Struggles
January 9, 2003
MIAMI ? Freedom of expression and the importance of protecting controversial speech will be the focus of conversation on January 10 during a panel discussion and book signing about the role of protests in American democracy.
The panel discussion, co-sponsored by the Greater Miami Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Miami Light Project, will be at 6 p.m. January 10, 2003 at the Miami Light Project (The Light Box), 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 100.
Al Crespo, the feisty and outspoken photojournalist who spent the last several years documenting protests, will be one of the featured panelists. He is the author of Protest In The Land Of Plenty, containing 222 dramatic and compelling photographs of protests and demonstrations during the years 1997-2001.
Crespo will be joined by Robert Franklin, the former General Manager of the Miami Arena, who in 1999 brought the Los Van Van controversy to a head by opening the doors of the arena to the Cuban salsa group. Also participating in the discussion will be radio talk show host and outspoken supporter of free expression in Miami-Dade County, Alberto Milian.
Rounding out the panel will be Joseph Adler, Artistic Director of GableStage, which served as a named plaintiff in the ACLU's challenge of the Miami-Dade County "Cuba Ordinance," which barred the use of county funds and facilities to present Cuban artists and their affiliates. The ordinance, long viewed as a barrier to free expression in Miami-Dade County, was declared unconstitutional in 2001.
"Art organizations have long been the beneficiaries of a strong and robust First Amendment, which is why we are delighted to host this important program," said Beth Boone, Executive Director of the Miami Light Project, which also served as a plaintiff in the "Cuba Ordinance" lawsuit.
From defending the speech rights of protestors at the 2000 Presidential Conventions and the IMF/World Bank meetings, to ensuring that controversial groups such as the Klu Klux Klan and Los Van Van have a right to be heard, the ACLU has been instrumental in challenging government efforts to silence protest groups and stifle freedom of expression. Photographs of those protests and more than 40 others are featured in Crespo's book, which provides one of the first comprehensive views of the protest movement from coast to coast and also includes essays from eight protest leaders, including Miami's own Marleine Bastien, president of Haitian Women of Miami.
"The book serves as a reference guide to the ACLU's legal battles during those years in challenging attempts to stifle free speech and assembly by protest groups," said Al Crespo.
Visit http://www.centerlanepress.com/ to purchase Protest In The Land Of Plenty and Center Lane Press will donate 25 percent of the proceeds generated from retail book sales to the ACLU's Greater Miami Chapter and the Miami Light Project. Simply enter Miami Light Project and ACLU in the field that asks "How did you hear about us?" on the order form.
CONTACT:
Lida Rodriguez-Taseff, President of the ACLU Miami Chapter at 305-960-2242
