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20 <br /> 1 speech must not be limited geographically. She paraphrased a quote circa post World War II <br /> 2 stating "First they came for the [fill in the blank with a group of people,] but I did not speak out <br /> 3 for them because I was not of them. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up for <br /> 4 them because I am not a Jew. Then, they came for me and there was no one left to speak for <br /> 5 me." <br /> 6 Charles Lopez said he is the Republican candidate for State House District 50 and the <br /> 7 state chairman for the Hispanic GOP outreach. He said that he went to school for public <br /> 8 administration and his professor said that as a public administrator, they try to do the most <br /> 9 good. He said this is doing the most harm. He said that as a public administrator, when he sees <br /> 10 the public coming out with this much passion, he has some doubt that this is not the best time to <br /> 11 adopt this ordinance. He said that maybe it is not the right wording to accomplish their noble <br /> 12 intent of protecting children. He said there is power in the constituents sitting here today. He <br /> 13 asked them to reject the ordinance if they have any doubt. <br /> 14 Robert Thomas said this is part of the great American experiment. He said that the <br /> 15 forefathers established a system years ago that allows people to come forward to a place and <br /> 16 discuss their disagreements about ideas. He said this is the genius of the American system at <br /> 17 work. He said the Board has rights as well as parents and students. He said that greater rights <br /> 18 have to be with parents because they are ultimately responsible for raising good citizens. He <br /> 19 said that he would bet that every parent there tonight believes they have a solemn duty to raise <br /> 20 good citizens and that is why they are here. He said that protests are not just opportunities to <br /> 21 raise objections but are also an opportunity to reach out to likeminded people. He said that the <br /> 22 protests are not endangering children. He said that he takes the point of Mr. Roberts that it is <br /> 23 not a traditional public forum but when you have a situation where parents are feeling that the <br /> 24 very core curriculum of the school is antithetical to their children, then he contends that they <br /> 25 have a right to come and assemble peaceably because the First Amendment gives them the <br /> 26 right to. He said that he does not support the court rulings that seem to be unconstitutional. He <br /> 27 said that they need to support parents because they are the backbone of society, and they <br /> 28 should have the opportunity to object in the place of their choice. <br /> 29 Rusty Toley said he has never been to a meeting before. He said that he hears all the <br /> 30 parents say the same thing and then he looks at the Constitution and realizes that it is not <br /> 31 supported. He said that he feels bad for the Commissioners. He said the decision the Board <br /> 32 makes tonight affects everyone here and the future of the county. He said he likes living here <br /> 33 and asked them to do the right thing and vote against this. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Commissioner McKee asked if John Roberts was aware of law enforcement action on <br /> 36 any of the protests to arrest or remove any of the folks. <br /> 37 John Roberts said that when he spoke to Sheriff Blackwood about this potential <br /> 38 ordinance several months ago, he said that he or his deputies did not encounter any illegal <br /> 39 activity at, what he believes, was the protest or demonstration that led to this ordinance <br /> 40 discussion. <br /> 41 Commissioner McKee said that is the same discussion he had with the Sheriff. He asked <br /> 42 Mr. Roberts if he had heard of any physical altercations or if any harm came to anyone at any of <br /> 43 the demonstrations. <br /> 44 John Roberts said not to his knowledge. <br /> 45 Commissioner McKee said he has not either. He said that the school board approached <br /> 46 the Board due to a concern over students. He said he has sat through multiple discussions on <br /> 47 this, and has not heard of physical harm or crime, or threatening actions. He said this is a <br /> 48 solution looking for a problem. He said he understands that some people may feel intimidated, <br /> 49 and have angst, but no one is ever guaranteed protection against this. He said his primary <br /> 50 concern on an action like this is abridgment of freedom of speech. He said that without that <br /> 51 right, a lot of injustices that have occurred in past years, particularly to Black citizens, would not <br />