LANCASTER COUNTY, PA – John Murphy, the Independent Congressional Candidate in the 16th District, was denied admission to Buchanan Park by a Lancaster City official.  Earlier in the day John Murphy explained to the city which owns the park, that he was required to collect approximately 5,000 signatures in order to appear on the November ballot and that petitioning on public property was a civil right protected by the First Amendment.

The official who identified himself as Galen Groff told Murphy that political activities were not permitted in the park.  Mr. Murphy asked if there was any special ordinance that would deny an American citizen the right to petition on public property.  Murphy further explained that if there were such an ordinance, it would be unconstitutional on its face.  The official would not tell the Independent Congressional Candidate if such an ordinance existed.

Murphy then questioned the official asking, "if I come to the park and ask people to sign my petitions, since it is a protected right under the First Amendment, how would you stop me".  The official, who was growing belligerent, told Murphy, in a blatant act of political bigotry, that he would make an announcement telling people not to sign Murphy's nominating petitions.

In 1939, the US Supreme Court ruled in Hague v CIO that "since time immemorial", public sidewalks and public parks have been used for First Amendment activity, and that governments can not prevent it.  There have been many cases since then, but that is the major source of our protection under law.  Nevertheless, this official has put himself above the law and above the Supreme Court.  If Murphy enters the park, the official will make an announcement telling people not to sign his nominating papers.

Murphy explained to his volunteers that "through the USA Patriot Act, The Military Commissions Act and Protect America's Act the Bush administration, supported by the Democrat Congress, has virtually gutted the Bill of Rights but I never expected to be denied my freedom of speech and petition right here in my own backyard.  This blatant disregard of our constitutional rights by a city official is a sign of the times and shows how near the government of the United States is to fascism".

"The Corporate-Free Candidate"