WORCESTER (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
By Kathleen A. Shaw
Telegram & Gazette Staff
WORCESTER— The Worcester County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts will assist demonstrators at St. Paul’s Cathedral if police or church officials try to curb the protest and the use of bullhorns.
Demonstrators went to St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday and were met by police requests that they get a permit for their bullhorns. One of the protesters was threatened with arrest if he did not cease use of his bullhorn, according to Mary T. Jean of Worcester Voice, a group that advocates for victims of clergy abuse.
Police Chief James M. Gallagher said yesterday the protesters do not need a permit for bullhorns, but police can ask them to turn down the noise level if it is deemed excessive.
Ronal C. Madnick, executive director of the Worcester County Chapter of ACLUM, said yesterday that protesters have a right to use bullhorns in front of the cathedral and can legally say whatever they want about the bishop, other church officials and the abuse scandal in general.
Mr. Madnick said the demonstrators can be asked to turn down the volume if the noise is too loud, but they cannot be told to shut off the bullhorns. His organization is willing to help the demonstrators if they run into problems with their civil rights, he said. The demonstrators should have enough volume in their bullhorns to reach their “audience” but not to disturb people worshipping inside the church, he said.
Steven Lewis of Speak Truth to Power, a Boston-area resident and former 18-year member of the Knights of Columbus, used his bullhorn Sunday to say that Bishop Daniel P. Reilly was a “corrupt bishop,” and he tangled briefly with police. He shouted through the bullhorn that he was willing to be arrested if it meant stopping the abuse of children.
