Mike Hunt
Posted: 21 Jul 2009, 21:20
African-American Mike Hunt appears before L.A. City Council in KKK garb to challenge free speech limitations.
An African American man who refused to remove his Ku Klux Klan uniform while appearing before the Los Angeles City Council prompted several council members to walk out of the meeting. Mike Hunt (yes, I know -- let's be mature about this) has a history of testing the limits of his 1st Amendment rights.
It was at least the second day that Mike Hunt, who recently challenged the city’s vending ordinance in federal court as a violation of his rights (video of the arrest that sparked the challenge can be seen above), had worn the outfit to the meeting, leading council members to seek advice from the city attorney about their legal options.
Hunt submitted a card to speak during the public comment period and was called to the microphone by Councilman Dennis P. Zine, who was presiding officer.
“Mr. Hunt, you’re going to have to remove your hood,” Zine told Hunt twice.
“No, this is part of my 1st Amendment privileges,” Hunt replied.
After Hunt refused to remove his hood, several council members left the chamber in protest, including Councilman Greig Smith and the chamber’s three African American members, Bernard Parks, Jan Perry and Herb J. Wesson Jr.
The incident sparked a debate in L.A. Now over what constitutes protected speech.
An African American man who refused to remove his Ku Klux Klan uniform while appearing before the Los Angeles City Council prompted several council members to walk out of the meeting. Mike Hunt (yes, I know -- let's be mature about this) has a history of testing the limits of his 1st Amendment rights.
It was at least the second day that Mike Hunt, who recently challenged the city’s vending ordinance in federal court as a violation of his rights (video of the arrest that sparked the challenge can be seen above), had worn the outfit to the meeting, leading council members to seek advice from the city attorney about their legal options.
Hunt submitted a card to speak during the public comment period and was called to the microphone by Councilman Dennis P. Zine, who was presiding officer.
“Mr. Hunt, you’re going to have to remove your hood,” Zine told Hunt twice.
“No, this is part of my 1st Amendment privileges,” Hunt replied.
After Hunt refused to remove his hood, several council members left the chamber in protest, including Councilman Greig Smith and the chamber’s three African American members, Bernard Parks, Jan Perry and Herb J. Wesson Jr.
The incident sparked a debate in L.A. Now over what constitutes protected speech.
