Politics
Politics

Judge rules protesters can wave signs opposing immigration bill in Georgia Capitol

Activists protest against Senate Bill 452 outside the Georgia Capitol, chanting “four-five-two, shame on you” on Feb. 26, 2018. The bill would require local police and court officials in Georgia to help with immigration enforcement. Ariel Hart/ahart@ajc.com
Activists protest against Senate Bill 452 outside the Georgia Capitol, chanting “four-five-two, shame on you” on Feb. 26, 2018. The bill would require local police and court officials in Georgia to help with immigration enforcement. Ariel Hart/ahart@ajc.com
By Mark Niesse
March 30, 2018

A federal judge has ruled that police must allow protesters to wave signs in the Georgia Capitol as they oppose an immigration enforcement bill.

U.S. District Judge William Duffey granted a temporary restraining order Thursday allowing the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and others to silently display posters in the Capitol Rotunda and the balcony around the Rotunda.

Protesters aren't allowed to bring posters or signs into the state House or Senate chambers.

The court order bars Capitol police and other law enforcement from prohibiting the protest activities.

“Today is a victory for the First Amendment. Georgians demand that their constitutional freedoms and rights be respected, especially in the Gold Dome,” said Sean Young, the legal director for the ACLU of Georgia.

Protesters have been opposing Senate Bill 452, which would require prosecutors to verify whether defendants are in the country illegally, among other provisions.

Never miss a minute of what’s happening in Georgia Politics at PoliticallyGeorgia.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Living in Louisville in rural Jefferson County, Jessica Lewis (back) regularly traveled nearly an hour each way for OB-GYN visits while she was pregnant with her now-11-month-old-son, Desmond. The 35-year-old tax preparer is among many in Georgia forced to make long drives for access to gynecological care. Others are not able to do so, part of why prenatal visit data has gotten worse in recent years. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Georgia women face geographic gaps in prenatal care

Fewer than half of Georgia's counties have a full-time OB-GYN, according to data analyzed by the AJC, and many women lack the time and money to make regular prenatal visits.

How much money has been recovered so far in the First Liberty collapse?

The team appointed by a judge to recoup money for jilted investors signaled in a court filing it is preparing for a lengthy battle to recover additional funds.

EXCLUSIVE

Senate poll: Ossoff riding high in Georgia; MAGA firebrand leads GOP field

AJC poll on U.S. Senate race in Georgia shows likely Democratic voters give Jon Ossoff high marks; U.S. Rep. Mike Collins leads Republicans, over Gov. Brian Kemp's pick.

The Latest

(Photo illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

How much money has been recovered so far in the First Liberty collapse?

Georgia women face geographic gaps in prenatal care

Georgia state senator pushes for arrest of House lawyer

Featured

(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Unsplash)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

MARTA and Beltline rail two big transportation items on mayor’s agenda

While reaffirming his commitment to building light rail along the Beltline, Mayor Dickens says the first segment should go where transportation needs are greatest: SW Atlanta.

Georgia women face geographic gaps in prenatal care

Fewer than half of Georgia's counties have a full-time OB-GYN, according to data analyzed by the AJC, and many women lack the time and money to make regular prenatal visits.

Ex-Stonecrest mayor accused of lying about prison time to run for City Council

Jason Lary, who spent more than two years in prison after he admitted pocketing COVID relief money, allegedly claimed he was not a convicted felon in pre-election paperwork.