[EL] The next round of campaign finance secrecy litigation?

[Paul Lehto]

Given the conjunction of political speech and secrecy, I wonder if the
following news blurb will allow the ACLU the chance to notch a  victory for
protesters while at the same time help lay the groundwork for further
institutionalizing/establishing a "right" of anonymous speech applicable to
campaign finance donors:

During the ongoing "Occupy Wall Street" protests near Wall Street, at least
five protesters have been arrested solely for "wearing a mask" at a "masked
gathering," in violation of an ancient 150 year old city ordinance.  See
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904194604576581171443151568.html


This old New York City ordinance prohibiting masks specifically exempts
masquerade parties, both on the face of the statute and as actually applied
in practice.  Only masked conduct in conjunction with political speech or
protest is proscribed, but not masquerade parties that fit the same general
definition of "wearing a mask" at a "masked gathering."


-- 
Paul R Lehto, J.D.
P.O. Box 1
Ishpeming, MI  49849
lehto.paul at gmail.com
906-204-4026 (cell)
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