Gutted Noise Bill Passes 9-4: Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.'s pro-union amendment passed and the full bill both passed 9-4. Original bill sponsors Tommy Wells and Mary Cheh both voted against in both cases, along with David Catania and Carol Schwartz. Chairman Vincent C. Gray and Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry, though both in support of the union position, denounced in strong terms labor's targeting their colleagues. Barry said he was "very upset with my friends in the labor movement"; Gray said he was "offended and disappointed to see what happened" to Kwame Brown and Yvette Alexander.
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6:41 am
So when do the protests start at associated Councilmembers who supported this toothless version of the bill?
How disappointing.
8:20 am
Yeah! As some one who participates in some of these rallies and labor events, I'm excited that free speech isn't being curtailed!
Props to Yvette and Kwame for being on the right side of this one.
9:07 am
I don't have the means to obtain an amplifier, so the council actually only guaranteed speech rights to those with money and equipment. My voice will be unheard in the free marketplace of ideas.
Or some millionaire nutball with a grudge against unions will employ one gigantic amplifier to squish union rallies.
The amplifier arms race is on!