The ACLU of Massachusetts and the City of Cambridge have announced a settlement with Massachusetts Peace Action and Massachusetts Peace Action Education Fund, two groups that helped organize the 2018 Women’s March on the Cambridge Common through the January Coalition.
This new agreement takes effect right away. From now on, Cambridge won’t charge for public safety services at “Demonstration Events” – which means non-commercial gatherings like rallies, vigils, protests, and marches held in city parks. The City’s websites will be updated to show this new rule. Plus, as part of the settlement, Cambridge is dropping all charges for public safety services related to the Women’s March event.
A couple weeks ago, the ACLU of Massachusetts sued Cambridge over its policy of billing event organizers for public safety during large rallies and demonstrations in city parks. After the January Women’s March happened, organizers got bills for police details and emergency medical help. They were also told more bills might come from police in nearby towns. The lawsuit argued these fees violate free speech rights under the First Amendment and act like an illegal tax on speaking out or gathering peacefully.
“The right to join with neighbors in protest is core to the First Amendment and critical to a healthy and vibrant democracy,” said Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. “At a time when the federal government is inciting division and seeking to chill free speech, the voices of rally organizers and participants should be encouraged and applauded – not taxed. We are pleased that the City of Cambridge is standing up for peaceful assembly in public parks.”
“The City of Cambridge is deeply committed to supporting the public’s right to freely express their views and peacefully assemble in our city parks,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. De Pasquale. “This agreement, which is the direct result of our close collaboration with the ACLU of Massachusetts over the past few months, ensures that the public safety costs associated with such events do not become a burden for the organizers. I want to thank the ACLU of Massachusetts for working with the city to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.”
“We are grateful for the work of both the ACLU of Massachusetts and the City of Cambridge, and we are heartened to know that free speech and assembly continue to be free in Cambridge,” said Michelle Cunha, Assistant Director of Massachusetts Peace Action. “We appreciate that the City of Cambridge took the time to discuss the issues, improve their policy, and ultimately cancel the charges.”
“We are delighted that the City of Cambridge has adopted a policy that will set precedents and guarantee everyone, regardless of means, the right to assemble – and we thank the ACLU of Massachusetts for its work,” said Zayda Ortiz of The January Coalition.” When freedom of speech comes with a price tag, it especially burdens marginalized groups who might have fewer financial resources for charges. We hope that other municipalities across The Commonwealth can mirror this policyand safeguard our constitution. When voices unheard are liberated amplified, society grows stronger.”
“We are pleased this matter has been resolved,” said Ruth Bourquin senior attorney at aclu massachusetts.”we applaud massachusetts peace action standing up fighting what’s right city cambridge responding protecting free speech assembly. this how democracy supposed work.”
Learn about case ma peace action v city cambridge here.
