Spokane Grants the Right to Speak on Its Streets
After two years of fighting, Spokane lets citizens take the soapbox — and the first permit goes to a woman evangelist and slum worker.
Spokane Permits Street Speaking.
SPOKANE. — Spokane, after two years of fighting, has granted citizens the right to speak on the streets without interference, as long as they do not obstruct traffic or create disorder. The new street speaking ordinance places the power of granting permits in the hands of the chairman of the board of police commissioners.
The first permit was granted to "Sister" Flora Bilkiss, woman evangelist and slum worker.
“Spokane, after two years of fighting, has granted citizens the right to speak on the streets without interference.”
Free-speech fights on public sidewalks are as old as the city itself. Spokane's two-year battle over who may stand on a corner and speak — and the police commission's power to say yes or no — maps neatly onto modern debates over permits, protest and public space.
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