Free speech on the Mall discussed

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Preachers on the UA Mall talk to students about the Bible and the consequences of sin last week. Yesterday, a forum in the Memorial Student Union addressed policies and restrictions concerning solicitors and preachers on the Mall.

That was the topic of a forum in the Memorial Student Union yesterday, in which Associate Dean of Students Veda Hunn and eight others discussed free speech on the Mall, Mall preachers, noise amplification and First Amendment rights.

Although the speech content cannot be restricted, the time, place and manner of the speech must be regulated, said university attorney Mike Proctor.

Sound amplification on the University of Arizona Mall, for example, is permitted from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, Hunn said.

Students who want to listen to preachers and other lectures can sit on Speakers' Corner, located on the west side of the UA Mall near the Chemistry and Biological Sciences building, Hunn said.

Although some students dislike the preachers' lectures, the First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech. These rights include the right to express one's thoughts, Hunn said.

"I like the idea of diverse viewpoints being spread on the Mall," said John McCoy, management information systems sophomore and president of the Libertarian Club.

There are restrictions on the First Amendment, however. Laws prohibit blocking an entrance, interfering with normal university business and illegal activity, Proctor said. Other rules include no cooking or camping on the Mall.

Some students were annoyed that Mall preachers have the right to speak freely.

"I saw a Black guy almost punch a preacher because he said something racist. If they're here to harass us, they shouldn't be here," said Dave Pierce, regional development junior.

"I know a lot of Christians that feel the preachers give their religion a bad name," said Jessica Chang, management information systems junior.

One prospective graduate student said he attended the meeting to get a feel for UA's policies.

"It's really surprising that there's a lot of freedom of speech here," said John Armstrong. "It's a bonus, because if they were not going to allow freedom of speech in the classroom, certainly they wouldn't have it on the Mall."

No preachers attended the meeting.