ACLU opposes petition, but backs Hansen’s right to petition

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The American Civil Liberties Union will represent political activist Janine Hansen, who was arrested last week while gathering signatures for a petition that the ACLU opposes.

Hansen and her 25-year-old son, Zachary Triggs, were arrested Thursday night at the municipal bus station in Reno and charged with trespassing. They were gathering signatures on a petition for a constitutional amendment to bar government employees from serving in the Legislature.

The ACLU last week submitted a "friend of the court" brief to the Nevada Supreme Court, supporting the right of public employees to serve in the Legislature.

Although they are on opposite sides of that debate, in the case of the trespassing charges, "the issue is not about the petition. It's about the right to petition," Hansen said.

Allen Lichtenstein, the ACLU's Las Vegas attorney, said, "The right of free speech does not depend on whether you agree or disagree with the person's sentiments."

Lichtenstein said there is nothing strange about the ACLU representing Hansen, who is an officer of the Independent American Party. He said the ACLU is trying to "protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties" of Hansen and her son.

Hansen refused to accept the policies of the Regional Transportation Commission that placed restrictions on the right to gather signatures at the bus station.

Lichtenstein said the commission clearly violated a law enacted in 2003, which does not allow the commission to restrict signature gathering.

The first court appearance for Hansen and her son is set for May 27.

Hansen said she and the ACLU have worked together on several issues, such as the Nevada Patriot Act and the privacy laws. On the Patriot Act, she said both groups were worried that citizens who protested against the government could be considered terrorists. She said that was taken out of the bill.