// a href = ./ // St Louis News, Weather, Sports, The Big 550 AM, St Louis Traffic, Breaking News in St Louis

   The Ku Klux Klan is challenging a new Desloge, Missouri ordinance that bans them from distributing flyers in city streets.  

   A judge has already struck down a city wide ban on distributing leaflets that the Klan had fought with the help of the ACLU.  Tony Rothert, legal director for the ACLU's Eastern District of Missouri says the Supreme Court has long held that handing out leaflets is protected by the First Amendment.  

   Rothert says that neither he, nor the ACLU agrees with the KKK`s message, just their right to share it.  "We think it’s important for all Americans that they be able to distribute literature to get their ideas out in peaceful ways and let the market place of ideas debate who’s right,” he said.

   Rother has suggested the that the city's new ordinance is an attempt to get around the earlier judges ruling. 

   Desloge city administrator Greg Camp says that's not true.  Camp says, it's never been a question of First Amendment rights.  "Regardless of the message, we have to respect the fact that everyone has the right to free speech," he said. "The concern is for people being in the road."

   Camp says the city consulted with an attorney before crafting the new measure, and they believe it will hold up in court.

   The city has until Monday (May 6th) to respond to the ACLU's new complaint.

   Desloge is about 60 miles south of St. Louis.

 

Published in Local News

Latest News

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
Prev Next
Illinois to create state-run health care exchange

Illinois to create state-run health care exchange

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would create a state-governed "insurance exchange" so individuals and small businesses can shop for health ...

IL lawmakers approved ban on using cell phones while driving

IL lawmakers approved ban on using cell phones while dr…

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving. Senators voted 34-20 Thursday, sending the bill to Gov. Pat Q...

Police release photo of gas station robbery suspect

Police release photo of gas station robbery suspect

Police are asking for help to find the suspects who robbed a Cahokia gas station overnight. The Midwest Petroleum convenience store was robbed around 2:30 AM. Three suspects smash...

Attorney says pot penalties being misapplied in Columbi…

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A Columbia lawyer says a local ordinance that treats marijuana possession as a municipal violation isn't being followed by Boone County sheriff's deputies patr...

Police arrest man for shooting into South St. Louis home

Police arrest man for shooting into South St. Louis hom…

A suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting into a South St. Louis home. Police were on the scene when they saw the suspect fire several shots into a home near the intersecti...

AP: Man driving van during fatal wreck had suspended license

AP: Man driving van during fatal wreck had suspended li…

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Public records show a New Jersey man behind the wheel of a van that overturned on an Illinois freeway, killing five passengers, had his driving privileges suspende...

Two carnival workers involved in fight

Two carnival workers involved in fight

TROY, Mo. (AP) - One carnival worker is badly injured and another in jail following an altercation in eastern Missouri. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 25-year-old Clint ...

Air force jet clips power lines in western Missouri

Air force jet clips power lines in western Missouri

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP) - A low-flying military jet from a western Missouri Air Force base clipped several power lines, but officials said no injuries were reported. The Springfield...

© 2013 KTRS All Rights Reserved

St Louis Web Design