PROTESTERS DENIED COURT PROTECTION
From news services and staff reports
Column: AROUND THE REGION
Saturday, January 7, 1995
; Page B02
Three longtime protesters in Lafayette Square lost the first round
yesterday in their attempt to force the U.S. Park Police to stop what they
contend is harassment of demonstrators and homeless people who frequent the
park.
U.S. District Judge Charles R. Richey denied the protesters' request for a
temporary restraining order, saying they had not shown that their First
Amendment rights were being violated by officers who enforce regulations
governing park access.
Richey also said he could not ignore security concerns of the White House.
"The court cannot avoid taking notice of the fact that during the last several
weeks ... the security of the president of the United States has been
threatened," the judge said. "Therefore, the public interest requires that the
Park Service be able to continue to equitably enforce its regulations."
The judge scheduled a hearing for Jan. 12 on the next round of arguments,
on a separate request for a preliminary injunction and the merits of the case.
Articles appear as they were originally printed in The Washington
Post and may not include subsequent corrections.
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