Arnavaz Fatemi
Free Speech ZoneArnavaz Fatemi1-1-1-1
Freedom of speech, a right every United States citizen holds dear to them, also, a right that Pierce College recognizes and encourages people to use with the free-speech zone. The free-speech zone is a designated area on the mall at Pierce where people can go and pass out fliers, peacefully protest a subject or try to talk to passing students about certain subjects. “Because Pierce is a public institution, anybody can come on campus and do things,” said Joy McCaslin, vice president of student services. “However, Pierce is allowed to restrict it which is a good thing because there’s less disturbances.” Although passing out fliers is allowed within the free-speech zone, someone must get permission first and if permission is denied the person will be asked to leave by the sheriffs department, according to Angie Moore, an office assistant at the Pierce College Sheriffs department. Also, if someone is passing out fliers within the zone, if a person they give a flier to throws it on the floor, it is the responsibility of the person passing out the fliers to pick it up before they leave. If someone does not want to take the flier, the distributor is not allowed to try to force a person to take the flier. Some other rules for the free-speech zone include no use of amplification which would create a noise disturbance. A person using the zone is not allowed to physically touch or stop someone from passing by unless it is accidental. Someone using the free-speech zone can not solicit donations of money by directly asking for it. They are also not allowed to sell tickets or other items unless the organization is registered as non-profit or it is approved by the Associated Student Organization or club. “We do request that people come in prior and let us know who they are and what their here for,” said McCaslin. Even though the zone is called a free-speech zone, people can be denied permission to use it. Some ways a person can be denied use is if their subject matter is “obscene, libelous or slanderous according to legal standards.” Although the religious protestor, “Paul”, might have offended many students like Rachael Light a couple of weeks ago, he did not violate any of the rules and had permission to be in the free-speech area. “I feel like the free speech area is a great place to get educated on some aspects of life that maybe some people never even knew about,” said 20-year-old Pierce psychology major Rachael Light who publicly showed her anger towards religious protestor “Paul.” “If you are there and giving your word you also need to be open to listening, or get out,” Light continued to say. “We’ve had individuals like “Paul” to cause people to be very upset,” McCaslin said. “But it doesn’t happen often. It’ll maybe happen once a year.” To get a permit to use the free-speech zone, contact student services or call, (818) 719-6444
Students walk through Pierce College’s Free Speech area on the campus mall. (Aisha Ahal)