On August 23, 2016, a group of St. Augustine Tea Party (SATP) volunteers assembled at the St. Augustine Beach City Hall to protest recent action by the City Commissioners to restrict political free speech on City property. According to David Heimbold, SATP Media Chairman, “A considerable number of signs were along the road in front of City Hall on Saturday.
When I returned on Sunday .all the signs were gone.” Mr. Heimbold was acting as an individual on behalf of Debra Maynard, a candidate for Sheriff in St. Johns County. Mr. Heimbold called the St. Augustine Beach Police Dept. to question why the signs were removed. The officer who responded had no explanation for the occurrence.
Rose Bailey, a candidate for St. Augustine Beach Commissioner seat 2, reported that the City Manager had no knowledge of the sign removals. “These restrictions on speech are always done on weekends with no fanfare,” Bailey said.
Other candidates present were Peter Royal running for mosquito control and Kelly Lorbeer running for Republican State Committeewoman for St. John’s County.
“The Tea Party does not endorse political candidates. But some of its members are supporting or running for elected office,” Lance Thate, SATP Chairman explained. Continuing Thate said, “The Tea Party has been involved in First Amendment issues, in the area, since 2011.
We have been successful in eliminating restrictions on free speech on both Federal and County lands. About a year ago, we expanded free speech at Pier Park, which is located in St. Augustine Beach. We believe some of the players involved in the restricting of free speech at the Park are the same as those who are trying to restrict political speech at City Hall.”
According to the “St. Augustine Record”, a few weeks ago, an ordinance was passed regarding signage in the City of St. Augustine Beach. “The Tea Party would like to remind the Commissioners who voted 5 to 0 for the measure, that they are bound by their oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Florida.
Free speech is not something for them to decide regardless as to what a Jacksonville Lawyer with an agenda might say. The Tea Party vows that this is not the end of the issue, it is the beginning,” protesters unanimously agreed on. https://www.facebook.com/towncrier2010/ Please like our Face Book page.
