[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      UNAUTHORIZED DEMONSTRATIONS

  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I was advised a few moments ago that an 
unauthorized demonstration took place in the Capitol a short time ago, 
and I want to make clear to all concerned that the laws, rules, and 
regulations governing demonstrations in the Capitol and in this Chamber 
will be enforced. We are a country in which the speech and assembly and 
protest of every citizen is protected. But such rights must be 
exercised in a lawful and orderly manner so as not to infringe upon the 
rights of others.
  Demonstrations on the Capitol grounds require a prior permit and 
participation in specific, designated locations. Every Senator knows 
they are a commonplace event. One of the places most frequently used 
for such demonstrations is right outside my office window. And so 
almost every day I observe and hear lawful demonstrations occurring. 
That is appropriate and as it should be. But we will not tolerate any 
demonstrations which occur in an unlawful manner and which infringe 
upon the rights of other persons. The law prohibits it.
  The United States Code sets forth the legal requirements with respect 
to such matters, and I want it clearly understood by all concerned that 
so long as I am majority leader, the law will be enforced. No persons 
are authorized to take the law into their own hands to conduct 
demonstrations as they see fit. Many persons hold strong beliefs on 
various subjects. The depth of one's conviction is not a sufficient 
basis for acting in an unlawful and unauthorized manner, because other 
Americans may have equally deep convictions to the contrary.
  So everyone is, of course, welcome to our Nation's Capitol. All are 
encouraged to make their views known. And those who wish to conduct a 
demonstration are invited to do so, but all in a manner consistent with 
law and regulations and prior practice.
  So I make this statement so there can be no misunderstanding on 
anyone's part with respect to such demonstrations. We welcome 
everyone's point of view, but we welcome it in an appropriate way.
  I have instructed the Sergeant at Arms to make the Capitol Police 
aware and to inform all those who come into the Capitol that we will 
not tolerate unlawful demonstrations and the law and regulations will 
be enforced properly.
  I thank my colleagues for their attention and consideration.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________