Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Assembly Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gage County supervisors hear weeks-long protest group's complaints, agree to develop written lawn policy
Summary
Residents and protest organizers told supervisors the county’s enforcement of a sidewalk/grass rule against a weekly 'democracy on life support' demonstration was sudden and unconstitutional without written guidance; the board said its chair called the sheriff after public complaints and directed attorneys to draft a formal policy to discuss at a future agenda.
Residents and organizers of a weekly demonstration told the Gage County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 12 that deputies recently ordered protesters off the courthouse lawn after months of peaceful gatherings and that the county lacks a written policy governing such assemblies.
The organizer, identified in the meeting as Robbie, said the group — which has met every Sunday since April 6 — had been peaceful and respectful and that deputies “sent two deputies down the sidewalk and told us that we couldn't stand on the grass.” Robbie said he had requested a written policy from the board and county attorney and received no response, calling the enforcement action “unconstitutional” if pursued without a legal basis.
The board heard several residents echo concerns about safety and fairness. Corianne Moss of Wymore showed a photo of Nebraskans standing on the State Capitol lawn as an example of accommodated public assembly and said allowing protesters on the grass can be safer than forcing them onto a narrow sidewalk next to highway traffic. Don Schuler, who lives nearby, said directing protesters to the sidewalk beside the highway is unsafe and that deputies lack a written policy to justify enforcement.
An unidentified speaker who described himself as a pastor and counsel for the demonstration group warned the board that the courthouse lawn is a traditional public forum and cautioned against viewpoint discrimination, reminding supervisors of Supreme Court tests that limit content-based restrictions on speech. Several speakers asked the board to respond directly to constituent emails and to clarify how enforcement decisions are made.
In response, the board chair said he had asked the sheriff to move people to the sidewalk after receiving public complaints and that the county attorney is reviewing the issue. The chair emphasized the board’s stated goal of consistent treatment of groups regardless of viewpoint and said the item will be put on a future agenda so the public can attend formal debate. The chair also asked staff to work on a written policy and said he accepted responsibility for the call to law enforcement.
The board did not adopt a new rule at the meeting; supervisors directed staff and legal counsel to develop a draft policy and schedule the item for a future public agenda. Several residents also urged the county to ensure sidewalks and the south parking lot are cleared of snow on Sunday mornings to support safe pedestrian access.
The discussion illustrates competing priorities supervisors said they will weigh — protecting public safety along a busy sidewalk by the highway, while respecting constitutional assembly rights and avoiding viewpoint discrimination. The board encouraged public input and signaled it will formalize a policy after legal review and public debate.
