Friday, 21 September 2012

[AUSTIN, TX] — What are our First Amendment rights when it comes to controversial political displays? That’s a question some are asking after a Northwest Austin man hung an empty chair, symbolizing President Obama, from a tree Thursday morning. The constitution states all Americans have the right to freedom of speech, association and assembly. According to legal experts his reaction and comments caught on camera represent no threat to our President or national security. The U.S. Secret Service says they’ve looked into the incident, but they are not investigating it as a threat.

The images caught on camera have sparked outrage among the Austin community from both sides. Some say the man’s actions were uncalled for, while others say he's simply expressing his First Amendment rights.

“My first reaction is that the constitution does protect free speech it’s a part of freedom of expression,” said Davis Courreges.of Hay and Compere law Firm after we showed him the video.

Courreges says freedom of speech does not apply when the speech insights violence or illegal action. “In those instances the government has the right to say it is not covered by the first amendment. Is the chair threatening the president? Is this 70-year-old man in Austin, Texas threatening the President? If it comes to it it will be up to the court to decide, but the point right now is that the individual does have the right to certain types of political speech.” The man in question said he modeled his act after Clint Eastwood’s speech at the Republican National Convention and is not meant to be a racist display.

To watch video of the entire incident, go to
http://weareaustin.com/news/features/raw-news/stories/vid_46.shtml?wap=0.

To watch the entire Clint Eastwood RNC speech, go to
http://www.weareaustin.com/news/features/raw-news/stories/vid_35.shtml?wap=0&.

By Angel Covarrubias
KEYE TV