Allegan Co. authorities don’t understand “Freedom of Speech”

The Grand Rapids Pres 05/01/12  John Agar

“Agema Joins lawsuit against Allegan”

State Rep. David Agema has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Allegan, its police chief and others for shutting down a January speech by an alleged former terrorist at Allegan High School.

Kamal Saleem, who characterizes himself as a former terrorist who has changed his ways, spoke at an event organized by Allegan County Commissioner Bill Sage.

Allegan Police Chief Rick Hoyer reportedly shut down the event after he learned Muslim extremists put a $25 million bounty on Saleem, and determined it posed a danger to those at the even

Agema is sponsor of a House bill banning the use of foreign laws, including Sharia law, by courts and administrative bodies when those laws conflict with rights protected by the state and U.S. constitutions. Another plaintiff, Elizabeth Griffin, is president of ACT! For America, a group concerned about national security, terrorism and the threat of radical Islam.

Two days before the event, representatives of CAIR and People for the American Way sent a letter to high school principal Jim Mallard and “voiced strong disfavor for Kamal Saleem, offering defamatory remarks as to his authenticity as a speaker and dissenting to the viewpoint of his free speech,” the lawsuit said.

About an hour before the event was to start, police reported that an unknown woman told them that Saleem had a $25 million bounty on his head, the lawsuit said. Police allegedly asked Sage, the organizer, if the speech was to be religious or political, and were told both, the lawsuit said.

Common Sense Review

I always find it interesting when the govt or agent of the govt, must shut down an event for the safety of the people.  Well those who went to see Saleem speak, most likely know how he is under threats.  Yet they want to attend to hear him speak.  Once again, the people have the right (and yet the responsibility) to do what they wish and see whom they want.

How does two political groups have more power than the citizens as a whole.  CAIR and People for the American Way do no hold more authority than the American citizen.  This was a fool mistake by the Allegan authorities.

The founding father understood the threat of death for the “Freedom of Speech” , why would that mentality change.