The ACLU of Missouri has filed a federal lawsuit against the Rolla Public Library, which would not let a medical marijuana advocate hold a meeting in its public space.
Randy Johnson, a volunteer with New Approach Missouri, which is aiming to get a medical marijuana measure on the 2018 ballot, tried in February to hold a training session at the library, seeking to instruct volunteers how to “properly and ethically” collect signatures for the new petition.
When the director learned the purpose of the meeting, she told Johnson that he could not hold the meeting because the room is "by the children's area," according to Johnson.
An attorney for New Approach tried to discuss the issue with the library director and its lawyer, but when he and others with New Approach received no response, they reached out to the ACLU.
“The Rolla Public Library violated Mr. Johnson’s fundamental constitutional rights in denying him access to a public forum for organizing a public event,” Tony Rothert, ACLU of Missouri legal director, stated in a press release. “His right to free speech was infringed upon by the library when it denied him access to the meeting rooms rather than following the library’s own policies.”
Diana Watkins, director of the library, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.…