– Gabrielle Griffie’s misdemeanor conviction, leader of Wichita police brutality protest, reaches the Kansas Supreme Court
– Kansas Supreme Court to rule whether Wichita’s “noisy conduct” ban infringes on First Amendment rights
– Case will set legal precedent about the overlap of protests and the First Amendment in Kansas
Free Speech or Excessive Noise?
On the 12th of September, the Kansas Supreme Court started a session that might change how protests are managed in Kansas. The case in question revolves around Gabrielle Griffie, a protest leader who received a misdemeanor conviction for leading a demonstration against police brutality in Wichita. The city, not focusing on what Griffie said during the protest, is instead concerned about how she said it, who she said it with, and the motive behind the message.
First Amendment on Trial
Griffie was convicted of unlawful assembly, a verdict that led the case all the way to the Supreme Court in Kansas. The fundamental point of disagreement: Does the “noisy conduct” ban in Wichita infringe on the First Amendment rights of its residents? This case will not only set a legal precedent in Kansas, but it may also significantly affect how protests overlap with the constitutional right of freedom of expression across the country.
The Breezy Take
This case proves once again the delicate balance between maintaining public order and the First Amendment rights of citizens. The Kansas Supreme Court’s judgment will undoubtedly affect future protests in the state, and perhaps nationwide. While the city of Wichita is concerned with maintaining order, the push against the “noisy conduct” ban emphasizes the importance of the right to raise one’s voice in a democratic society. Whatever the outcome of this case, one cannot negate the essence of the First Amendment: the necessity that citizens can voice their concerns freely and loudly, especially when it comes to protesting systemic injustices like police brutality.
Original article: https://kcbeacon.org/stories/2023/09/15/noisy-conduct-first-amendment/