November 1985

PETITION TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

We, the undersigned, oppose the National Park Gervice proposed rule to amend 36 CFR 7 (RIN 1021.AB93, Fed.Reg. Vol. 55 No. 193, Pg. 4679, October 4, 1990), as burdensome and unnecessary restriction on freedom of thought and expression. It would limit demonstrators to "three cubic feet" of "personal articles," including literature.

While the rulemaking proposal explicitly states "(t)his proposed rule is not intended to interfere with demonstrators' ability to distribute literature ... hold vigils, or otherwise exercise first amendment rights," it is obvious that the provisions of the proposed rule would have precisely those effects. It would severely impede communication of a diversity of ideas, and would make it impossible for vigilers to protect themselves from the elements.

Therefore, because it is unnecessary and would obviously burden the specific rights which it purports to be "not intended to interfere with," it appears that the proposed rule is nothing more than a regulatory attempt to negate constitutionally protected rights under the guise of protecting "aesthetics."

NAME ADDRESS (Write legibly please!)

SAVE THE 1ST AMENDMENT COMMITTEE, POB 27217,
Washington, DC 20038