Two pro-life activists have been booted from the S.C. State House – the latest casualties in a crackdown on free speech at the Capitol building.
The crackdown is said to have originated with Senate President Glenn McConnell, who is upset over a black protester who has been demonstrating against him on State House grounds with a controversial sign – and a Ku Klux Klan outfit.
Numerous sources say that McConnell instructed security personnel to remove this protester, although McConnell’s staff is disputing that claim and casting the onus for the man’s removal on the Bureau of Protective Services, an agency that works under Gov. Mark Sanford’s Cabinet.
Several State Senators and BPS sources have pointed the finger back at McConnell, however.
Either way, the resulting kerfuffle has led to a new policy toward two pro-life demonstrators – both fixtures at the State House for many years.
Specifically, Steve Lefemine and Johnny Gardner were both denied entry to the State House last week for carrying signs and – in Gardner’s case – a baby stroller with two dolls.
Both were provided with copies of the same state law that McConnell reportedly cited in having his protester booted.
Another excuse given for the removal of Lefemine and Gardner is that the S.C. Budget and Control Board has been receiving protests from public school groups that toured the State House recently.
We’ve made fun of Lefemine in the past, but he and Gardner are far from “disruptive.”
The fact they are now being banned from the State House because a powerful Senator ostensibly got his panties in a wad over a totally unrelated incident?
That’s ludicrous – and precisely why we don’t need to give lawmakers their own police force.
By Freddie Guy May 7, 2009 at 11:56 am
I bet the names of the “Several State Senators” who are your source will not be revealed. They all scared of the wrath of Glenn!!!
They will be the next to get thrown out.
Fred
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) May 7, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Sorry folks …
The content of what Lefemine and Gardner peddle at the state house is not meant for the eyes of children. If these are the same individuals I believe we are talking about, having posters about showing the graphic images of aborted fetuses is something that shouldn’t be exposed to young children.
Now before you go off on a free speech rant, remind me again why we don’t let 8 year old kids view R-rated movies?
Get them out of the building and away from the children and their tour groups.
- SSHM
By roofus May 7, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I suppose “free-speach” isn’t so free anymore in South Carolina.
By weighing in May 7, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Freddie Guy,
I bet they are the same Senators (fiction and non fiction) that FITS uses on all his anonymous writings. And, you could probably name the 3-4 that may actually talk to him
By SSP May 7, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Absolutely agree with SSHM.
The pictures that Lefimine and Gardner hold up in the lobby are extremely graphic–way more than my fourth grader bargained for when I took her to the gallery one day last year. Hell, they’re upsetting to me, and I’m well into adulthood.
I don’t have a problem with protesting, or even some signage, but those things were over the top. Let the dudes in, fine, but make them leave the signs somewhere else.
By Elizabeth May 8, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Free speech is a precious thing. I have been able to protest various activities that are harmful to animals for years. But, these gentlemen need to take their props down the street. I do not agree with their stance, but believe they have a right to say it. But it litters the Capital with graphic if not untrue pictures and statements. Not fit for children, or visitors.