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Labor Day Prohibition
by Dean Paton, National Writers Union
That a court order would prohibit Paul Trummel from exercising his passions and beliefs in public seems not only ridiculous, but also a violation of his freedom to assemble as well as a hardship for others who would enjoy his public association and participation.
I refer specifically to the annual Labor Day Picnic, hosted by the King County Labor Council at Lower Woodland Park in Seattle. Paul has attended this event for several years now, helping to talk up his National Writers Union and making connections with others in organized labor.
This year, Paul tells me, he is forbidden to attend this public event because another resident of Council House, I . . . . H . . . , usually passes out literature at the picnic - and the court has decreed that Paul may not be within 100 feet of another Council House resident.
The National Writers Union counts on Paul's participation in this activity, and others as well. Paul said to me that, for example, were he to be at any event and notice a Council House resident also in attendance that he would be required, by this invidious court order, to depart.
I think this is outrageous; it seems unnecessarily intrusive and petty. It is an unreasonable hardship on Paul, as well as on his union.
The National Writers Union would ask the court to restructure its injunction regarding Mr. Trummel to permit him to attend union activities, which includes every-other-month meetings of the Seattle Local at a private residence about five blocks south of Council House.
Dean Paton, Chair
Seattle Local, National Writers Union.
Editor’s Note
Judge James A. Doerty, Superior Court of Washington, has placed additional restrictions on movement contrary to First Amendment guarantees of right of assembly. He has taken this action for no other reason than to support censorship by the administrator and directors of Council House, Seattle. They wish to cover up abuse of senior citizens and misappropriation of funds at their government financially-assisted housing for senior citizens.
The order contains this bizarre prior restraint:
Posting to the Internet or his [this] web site, directly or indirectly, (indirectly means requesting, agreeing, or soliciting anyone else to do this) any personal identifying information including, but not limited to the name, address, phone number, social security number, or photograph, of any current, former or future staff member, resident, board member, or agent, including attorneys, of Council House. This restraint may be waived by any of the individuals described in the preceding sentence only by providing Paul Trummel with a written waiver which Paul Trummel shall file with this Court prior to posting such information.
This prior restraint on a veteran journalist also effectively restricts Dean Paton, a writer for the Christian Science Monitor, from using his choice of language for this piece. He named I . . . . H . . . , a Council House resident and union activist for many years. H . . . would probably wish to have her name connected with Paton's protest against gross violation of constitutional rights. However, this editor has suppressed her name to avoid his further incarceration by Doerty who has now threatened to deport him for non-compliance with his order.
In disgrace, Doerty has now constructively recused himself and his opinions have become subject to four appellate motions and a supreme court discretionary review. The international press corps, incensed by his findings, continues to protest his blatant invasion of freedom of expression.
You should realize the seriousness of these restrictions and protest vociferously about encroachment upon your constitutional rights at every opportunity. Doerty has betrayed the trust that you placed in him at the polling booth. He has violated your constitutional rights by deciding for you what you may read and what you may not read. Do not vote for his reelection next year.
Send email protests to:
Judge James A. Doerty <james.doerty@metrokc.gov>
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