Faculty in the News
In the News
Lawrence city sidewalk ordinance ruled unconstitutional
Publication date: Feb. 9, 2012
Source: Lawrence Journal-World
Author: George Diepenbrock
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The Lawrence-Journal World recently covered a municipal court judge's decision to overturn a city ordinance making it illegal to obstruct traffic and quoted Shelley Hickman Clark, the defense attorney in the case.
The Lawrence-Journal World wrote:
Gilmore’s defense attorney, Shelley Hickman Clark, said the ruling was important because the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the First Amendment gave people a right to be on a public street or “walking at whim.”
She said McGrath gave examples that it can be difficult to walk through an area if people are standing on the sidewalk downtown waiting to get a table for a crowded restaurant.
“It’s difficult to walk through that crowd, but it’s not criminal activity,” said Hickman Clark, an associate clinical specialist with Douglas County Legal Aid. “I think it’s very important for people who want to be downtown just to be part of the community.”



