Free Speech

N.J. Statehouse Has a Free Speech Policy, But It's a Secret

And wearing buttons, pins and stickers apparently violates it

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The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey today for unlawfully refusing to release its policy on wearing buttons, pins or stickers in the Statehouse. The ACLU-NJ requested the policy under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) after receiving a complaint from Statehouse visitors who were told they would have to remove politically expressive buttons to enter.

"It is completely absurd that the State Police may have a policy restricting what the public can or cannot do, but then refuses to let the public know what the policy actually says," stated ACLU-NJ acting executive director Ed Barocas.