San Antonio tells pro-life protestors they can't use JumboTron at Alamo

Pro-life protestors had planned to put a JumboTron outside the Alamo with abortion images on it, but the City of San Antonio shut down the protest Wednesday morning. Demonstrators said it's a violation of their First Amendment rights.

Protestors have put up a JumboTron with abortion images in other cities already and Love of Truth ministries said they cleared a permit with the City of San Antonio to do so a month ago. It wasn't until Tuesday night that the City said the demonstration violates a sign ordinance.

"Part of the permit, which would have enabled them to put a JumboTron on the plaza, was revoked this morning," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.

"If we were going to preform abortion today the city would allow that, cause that's legal, but showing it, somehow they're finding a way to find that against the law," said Mark Harrington, national director of Created Equal that was co-hosting the protest.

Harrington said now his organization has two causes to fight for; the end of abortion and first amendment rights.

"Unpopular speech is the reason the First Amendment was written to begin with. It protects disturbing, unpopular, offensive speech," said Harrington.

Several people visiting the Alamo Wednesday said they had differing opinions on whether the JumboTron should be allowed.

"When people don't have the choice whether to see those images or not, I don't think that's right," said Shannon Thomas who was at the Alamo Wednesday.

"I think they should be allowed to do what they were permitted for, and I think it's just the government trying to squelch anything that has to do with religion, or anything faith based," said Ava Tanner who was also visiting the Alamo.

"I don't necessarily agree with their tactics, but I do believe that to a certain extent it's protected by the First Amendment," said Lyndon Lee, another Alamo visitor.

Originally posted here:
San Antonio tells pro-life protestors they can't use JumboTron at Alamo