Last weekend, Warner Todd Huston of the Canada Free Press reported that Chicago passed a law that includes the prohibition of free newspaper distribution. The law, which was intended to aid in the control of ‘litter’ in the Windy City, was passed by a group of 50 individuals who are now coming under fire for the repression of the First Amendment – Freedom of Speech.
Warner Todd Huston writes:
Of course, the Aldermen who voted 50 to nothing for this law are scrambling to answer critics of the ordinance. It seems fairly certain that not a one of them even read the thing before they voted, something that isn’t unusual in this city. They all claim, of course, that this ordinance would never be used to stop a community newspaper from being distributed.
But just wait for the first incumbent Alderman who decides he doesn’t like what a paper has to say about him during an election campaign! Just wait for the first time King Daley doesn’t like what some small paper has to say about his trucking schemes or other alleged criminal enterprises. Watch how quickly a newspaper becomes “litter” then.
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