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Local advocates call for lower insurance burdens and clearer rules for public assemblies; ask for safety measures at library meetings
Summary
Speakers at the Columbia County meeting urged the county to reconsider high insurance minimums for public assembly permits and to provide clearer guidance on signs and safety at library meetings; the Freedom to Read Coalition asked for better communication and optional deputy presence at events where volunteers feel threatened.
Speakers representing local free‑speech and library advocacy groups asked Columbia County officials to review public assembly permitting requirements and to make county staff guidance clearer for peaceful demonstrations and library gatherings.
Karen Parham, who identified herself as CEO of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, said the county’s application treats small demonstrations the same as larger parades and street fairs and requires insurance minimums of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. “For a small group…
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