People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
is threatening a free speech lawsuit against the Kansas State Fair
over restrictions on its booth.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western
Missouri and a Kansas City law firm have agreed to represent PETA
in a potential federal suit. Attorneys have given fair officials
until Thursday to rescind a demand that PETA shield passersby from
any videos or pictures depicting animal slaughter.
ACLU legal director Doug Bonney says this is an obvious ACLU
case because the state fair is imposing a content-based restriction
on PETA’s speech that is blatantly unconstitutional.
Fair manager Denny Stoecklein did not immediately return an
email and phone message seeking comment.