JUST HOW FREE IS OUR RIGHT TO SPEECH?

You have the right to peaceably assemble - it says so right in the Bill of
Rights. You can even carry signs that protest something or other and, if
you feel like it, march around and say mean things for a few hours.

But do you have the right to do it in any public space at any time under
any condition?

The Supreme Court will decide such issues in a case that could define
exactly how free Americans' free-speech rights are. The case comes from
Chicago, where for years Robert MacDonald conducted Hempfest in Grant Park,
an annual event calling for the legalization of marijuana.

In 1997, however, the Chicago Park District denied MacDonald a permit to
hold his rally. The Park District said MacDonald had violated the terms of
prior permits. Among other things, it said some protesters drank alcoholic
beverages and remained in the park after hours.

MacDonald's supporters say the Park District's blocking of the rally was a
prior restraint of protected speech, that giving the district "unfettered
discretion" to decide who can use the public parks allows it to
discriminate against those with unpopular political views.

Let public officials control one means of expression - however trivial or
outdated it might be - and they will try to control other means. It's in
their nature - and all the history books.