|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2009
New Haven, CT - The state's investigation of the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocese for failing to register as a lobbyist before holding their March 11th rally, jeopardizes the core First Amendment rights of everyone in Connecticut, according to a friend-of-the-court-brief filed today by the American Civil Liberties Union of CT (ACLU-CT) on behalf of the Diocese. The Diocese is challenging the application of the state's lobbying law to constitutionally protected gatherings.
"The free exchange of ideas, which is a hallmark of our society, suffers when the state places hurdles in front of the free speech of any group," said Andrew Schneider, Executive Director of the ACLU-CT.
According to the state's interpretation of the lobbying law, anyone who sponsors a rally in Connecticut that advocates for or against legislation, with costs exceeding $2,000, is subject to the burdensome requirements of registering as a lobbyist. The ACLU-CT filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of First Amendment claims of the Bridgeport Diocese, to prevent an interpretation of law that would undermine the Constitutional rights to free speech, free assembly, religious liberty, and the right to petition the government; not just for the Catholic Church, but for all people in Connecticut.
Once registered as a lobbyist, a group is required to provide the Office of State Ethics (OSE) with financial disclosure of any activities that might be regarded as lobbying (including any rally or statements on a website) and submit to audits of expenditures by OSE. Failure to register or follow these rules could lead to fines, which compound daily. These requirements deter individuals and organizations from exercising their First Amendment Rights when they are applied to political activities beyond those the courts consider lobbying.
The ACLU-CT's friend-of-the-court brief supports the Bridgeport Diocese's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the state from requiring them to register as a lobbyist or otherwise fining them, until the court reaches a decision.
Click to read a copy of the Bridgeport Amicus brief.
|
