VETERAN DENIED USE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY TO TEACH CONSTITUTION

Date: Wed, Jan 18, 2012
Patriots, Veterans, Oath Keepers, and ALL Defenders of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, (especially those in KANSAS),

The Constitution and Bill of Rights are under attack more and more with each passing day. Yesterday, Patriot Coalition general counsel Richard D. Fry invited me into his office to witness a conversation he was having with veteran defender and "Wounded Warrior Project" supporter Roger Ewing of Hays, Kansas.

The Hays Public Library in Hays, Kansas is refusing to allow Roger Ewing of Big First Tea Party, (a member of Tea Party Patriots), the use of taxpayer-funded facilities at the Hays Public Library to teach the Constitution, and is yet another example of the ongoing "intolerable acts" our nation is suffering at the hands of bureaucrats. It seemed almost Orwellian when I first heard of the runaround Mr. Ewing received, including a requirement by the Hays Public Library to "bring in the material" he planned to use for their "prior approval," in direct violation of library policy.

Mr. Ewing's attorney, Patriot Coalition general counsel and constitutional attorney Richard D. Fry is looking into possible legal action against the Hays Public Library, and its leadership. The Hays City Commission's next meeting is: THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 – 6:30 P.M.

Patriot Coalition will be broadcasting LIVE on WRCG,
(We the People, Restoring Constitutional Governance) on Livestream.com.

Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill, 2704 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, 6:30p.m - 8:30p.m. Central Time
In support of Big First Tea Party, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights!

What I find even more outrageous is that the Hays Public Library Board "denied" his request, not once, but repeatedly, as they were apparently offended that he belonged to a tea party, and intended to use the National Center for Constitutional Studies' "Making of America, The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution" textbook written by Cleon Skousen, author of "The 5,000 Year Leap."

While there are many organizations that produce educational material on the U.S. Constitution, and the founding of our nation, there are none that the Patriot Coalition and many of its partners across the country hold in higher regard than the National Center for Constitutional Studies.

I was outraged this afternoon when I heard the conversation between you, Roger Ewing, and Hays, Kansas city attorney John Bird.

"It is our property. We get to do what we want with it," said John Bird, city attorney for the town of Hays, Kansas in a phone conversation with Mr. Ewing's attorney Richard D. Fry, Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 17, 2012. Mr. Bird continued, "If you have the money for a lawsuit, go for it."

Mr. Bird, the Hays Public Library is NOT your property, but belongs to the citizens of Hays, Kansas. I was amazed that even after Mr. Fry informed Hays Public Library staff and Hays City Attorney John Bird that their policy was a violation of the library's official policy, and an infringement on Mr. Ewing's 1st Amendment Rights, that they not only remained unmoved, but indifferent to his concerns, repeatedly referring to Mr. Ewing's group as a "political party."

Attached is the Hays Public Library's official policy in PDF form, which conflicts with the Hays Public Library's treatment of Mr. Ewing in "every conceivable way," as per library policy, and Kansas state law. I have highlighted numerous areas in their policy documents that illustrate the absurdity of their actions.

According to the Hays Public Library Policy, (in accordance with Kansas State law), Mayor Barbara Wasinger not only appoints all board members, but is a member herself with all the same voting privileges as the rest of the board. The citizens of Hays, Kansas should strongly consider whether Mayor Wasinger has chosen the right people for the Hays Public Library Board, as well as their choice in city attorney. The total disinterest, arrogance, and contempt for its own veteran citizens warrants cleaning house come election time.

If Hays, Kansas Mayor Wasinger will not address this matter post-haste, she too should be voted out of office. I can't think of very many duties of any taxpayer-funded public institution than to be supportive of veterans teaching the U.S. Constitution. Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend and respectfully express their opinions to the Hays City Commissioners at their next meeting, which is this Thursday, January 19, 2012, at 6:30p.m.

Hays Public Library more than likely receives federal, state, and local taxpayer funding. I would encourage everyone to reach out to Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who represents Kansas' 1st Congressional District to find out if federal tax dollars are funding a public library that is refusing a veteran the use of taxpayer-funded facilities to teach the Constitution. If you live in Kansas' Big First District, you can write Rep. Huelskamp here, and/or call his D.C. office from anywhere in the country at (202) 225-2715 .

The Big First Tea Party's original event date, scheduled for tomorrow, has been moved to Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill, 2704 Vine St., Hays, Kansas. As Patriot Coalition National Director, and a Gulf War veteran myself, I am calling on all veterans, tea party members, Oath Keepers, minutemen, and ALL defenders of the Constitution to join us in Hays, Kansas tonight, and to let everyone up and down the political food chain know that you stand with Mr. Ewing, and the Big First Tea Party.

Patriot Coalition will be broadcasting LIVE on WRCG,
(We the People, Restoring Constitutional Governance) on Livestream.com.
Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill, 2704 Vine Street, Hays, Kansas
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, 6:30p.m - 8:30p.m. Central Time
in support of Big First Tea Party and the Bill of Rights!
Free Speech and the Public Library, 2012 NDAA and your Liberty
Obama Care Update

Jeff Lewis
National Director, FIRE Coalition
National Director, Patriot Coalition
Jeff@firecoalition.com
Phone: 252-876-9489
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PatriotWatchdog
FIRE Blog: http://blog.firecoalition.com/
Patriot Coalition Blog: http://blog.patriotcoalition.com/
WRCG-Patriot Coalition LIVE! (NEW!)

(Below is the letter I received from Patriot Coalition general counsel Richard D. Fry, and contacts for various public officials in the Hays Public Library in Hays, Kansas)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Vet’s Grassroots Club Denied Access to Public Library To Teach Constitution:
First Amendment Hangs in the Balance

Roger Ewing, the leader of the Big First Tea Party in Hays Kansas, was denied access again today (1/17/12) to a public meeting room at the Hays Public Library. Mr. Ewing has been trying to gain access to the library for over a month.

Initially Mr. Ewing was told that since the Big First Tea Party was a political party the Library policy is to deny them access to the public meeting rooms. Mr. Ewing told the library Director that the Big First Tea Party was a non-partisan grassroots citizens’ organization. None the less, due to their political orientation the Big First Tea Party was denied access.

Mr. Ewing notes the Library has allowed political candidates and office holders to have public meeting at the Library.

Mr. Ewing was attempting to find a location to teach the Constitution of the United States. Library staff required him to bring in the educational material for their review. Even after their review of the material, the Making of America Constitution class material of the National Center for Constitutional Studies, the Five Thousand Year Leap people, the library staff found the material to be too political.

Today Mr. Ewing again approached the Hays Public Library for access to teach the United States Constitution and to hold a public explanation of and discussion on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). When it was pointed out that the Library’s policy did not prohibit the teaching of the U.S. Constitution or to have an educational seminar and public debate on federal law he was told they had “precedents”.

Although he was finally allowed to speak to the Library Director, Eric Norris, and some of the board members he was refused access and referred to the City Attorney, John Bird. Mr. Bird indicated that “it’s [the library] our property and we get to do what we want with it”. Mr. Bird also referred to the library’s policy and “precedents”.

Stay tuned for more on the case of Bureaucrats gone mad!

For the sake of Liberty,
Richard D. Fry
816 853 8718

If you wish to express your appreciation for the respect shown to Mr. Ewing, a veteran, and the Constitution by government officials in Hays here are some of their contacts.

Hays Public Library
1205 Main St,
Hays KS 67601
(785) 625-9014

Eric Norris
Library Director
enorris@hayspublib.org

Library Board:
David Dunn, Chair
Tina Wick, Vice Chair
Avry St. Peter, Treasurer
Kerri Sunley, Secretary
Judy M. Flax
Jenifer Riat
Ann D. Crowley
Mayor Barbara Wasinger, ex officio

Board meetings are held in the Main Floor Gallery at 4pm the second Tuesday of the month

City Attorney
John Bird
(785) 625-6919
200 W 13th St
Hays, KS 67601
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