Too Much
This story is just too much. A lawyer who just bought (and put on) a t-shirt that said "Give Peace a Chance" was confronted by two security guards in a mall in New York. The security guards told him to either take the t-shirt off, or leave the mall. Refusing to do either, the police were called and the man arrested for trespassing. While technically it does sound like the man was trespassing, I don't think the security guards (nor the police) were reasonable in the way they handled the situation. I mean, what kind of mall is against peace? I hope that the citizens of New York who frequent that mall take a good look at the management's policies and decide to shop elsewhere.
Comments
The real irony is that he had just purchased the t-shirt in that very same mall! I think people should get new shirts printed -- "Give Trespassing a Chance", or maybe "Don't Give Facism a Chance". - Joanna, Wednesday, March 5, 2003 There was a time when most people did their shopping at public markets, in towns' central squares, or on high streets - all civic spaces and all public property. Today, quite a large proportion of retailing is done at Malls - that is, on private property. I'm sure there was a time when the mayors of towns might have tried to ban political protests in their public spaces in order to (supposedly) protect the interest of retailers. But, as we all know, the courts have over the past couple of hundred years upheld the protection of individual civil liberties so they may demonstrate their views and opinions (and congregate) in public areas. The law isn't so certain when it comes to Malls, however. Are Malls private property? Yes, - in that someone other than the state owns the land and makes the rules for them. But malls depend on the public for their very existence. In a very important sense, Malls are public properties, too. Should the same protection that individuals are afforded in public places be afforded to privately-owned 'public' places, as well? The custodians of parks, shopping streets, libraries and other 'public' spaces (ie. municipal or state governments) have an obligation to accept and support civil liberties including freedom of expression. Perhaps the custodians of Malls - as custodians of public spaces - should have an obligation to support civil liberties as well.
- Chris, Wednesday, March 5, 2003 Your comment box doesn't preserve carraige returns like Luke's does! Well, I never... ;) - Chris, Wednesday, March 5, 2003 It does now! :) - Patrick, Wednesday, March 5, 2003 |  |
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