Ethiopian Review

An African American man who refused to remove his Ku Klux Klan uniform while appearing before the Los Angeles City Council prompted several council members to walk out of the meeting. Michael Hunt (yes, I know — let’s be mature about this) has a history of testing the limits of his 1st Amendment rights.

It was at least the second day that Michael Hunt, who recently challenged the city’s vending ordinance in federal court as a violation of his rights (video of the arrest that sparked the challenge can be seen above), had worn the outfit to the meeting, leading council members to seek advice from the city attorney about their legal options.

Hunt submitted a card to speak during the public comment period and was called to the microphone by Councilman Dennis P. Zine, who was presiding officer.

“Mr. Hunt, you’re going to have to remove your hood,” Zine told Hunt twice.

“No, this is part of my 1st Amendment privileges,” Hunt replied.

After Hunt refused to remove his hood, several council members left the chamber in protest, including Councilman Greig Smith and the chamber’s three African American members, Bernard Parks, Jan Perry and Herb J. Wesson Jr.

The incident sparked a debate in L.A. Now over what constitutes protected speech.

“Darn that pesky First Amendment huh Liberals? All the times it allows you to bash conservatives and true American values to your hearts content and yet it still allows for people who don’t think like you to have their say too. Maybe you need to rewrite it so you don’t have to put up with us free thinking people,” wrote Richard.

“If he was asked to leave his free speech rights weren’t violated. His rights are only violated if he faces legal repercussions. Was he arrested? fined? attacked? No, he was told to leave because he was causing a disruption. Look, I’m a liberal and I’m for free speech, but the fact of the matter is, free speech wasn’t violated here. I think a lot of people misinterpret ‘free speech’ as ‘I can say/wear/express anything at any time!’ When it’s really ‘The government/law can’t make any laws to stop me from saying/wearing/expressing anything at anytime,” said Billyist.

“At the next board meeting some white people should show up in KKK garb and use the “N word” at will. Wonder how THAT will play out? Does anyone know how this annoying ,self-centered, time-consuming jerk was awarded$264,000? I have a feeling I will not like it. You know what? We do have a right to DEMAND a certain amount of decorum in public meetings. Would we be infringing on his rights if we kicked him out of a library for this type of behavior?” wrote ronald Orf.
What do you think? Did council members overreact or was their response appropriate?

- By Brendan Bigelow | LA Times