Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 22, 1994 TAG: 9405220040
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The university originally barred members of the UVa Left Student Union, a group of 20 to 30 students, from handing out the pamphlets at entrances to the Lawn, where commencement will be held today.
Kent Willis, executive director of the Virginia ACLU, said the organization had a lawsuit prepared and was ready to file it before UVa officials agreed not to block the protest.
"It's a classic First Amendment case," Willis said. "It's a political protest on public property."
The student group opposes Gov. George Allen's views on abortion and the proposed Disney's America theme park in Prince William County. Allen will be the commencement speaker.
"When we heard about the leafleting ban, we thought it was unconstitutional . . . because it was unnecessarily restrictive," said Stephen B. Pershing, legal director of the Virginia ACLU.
UVa spokeswoman Louise Dudley said the policy was a combination of three other policies "that were in existence for some time" establishing standards of conduct for protesters during graduation weekend.
The policy limits protests to one area because all other areas of the university's main grounds already are occupied by graduation-related activities, she said.
Pershing said the agreement with UVa officials allows the policy to stand, "but the university has made a special arrangement under it that allows these students to express themselves directly to their intended audience."
That means the students will be able to hand out the materials at entrances to the Lawn.
Jody Calemine, a member of the student organization, said the protest would focus on the state's $163 million incentive package for the American history theme park and Allen's support for legislation requiring parental notification when minors seek an abortion.
by CNB