http://seattlest.com/2006/06/12/protest_averted_at_university_village.php All comments for Protest Averted at University Village en-us 2009 seattle_james Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:30:00 -0800 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss scarequotes@gmail.com scarequotes@gmail.com 60 http://seattlest.com/2006/06/12/protest_averted_at_university_village.php#comment-164294 http://seattlest.com/2006/06/12/protest_averted_at_university_village.php#comment-164294 Comments Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:02:00 -0800 <p>Yes, I think it is because it was in a private mall. Private malls aren't considered to be traditional venues for public speech (like sidewalks and parks are), so people can be asked to leave without being considered deprived of their right to free speech. The only exception I know of is that Washington does allow initiative signature-gatherers to gather signatures in shopping malls, but only if it is done in such a way that it does not interfere with the private businesses. The protest could have taken place around the perimeter of U-Village, though...on the sidewalk surrounding it.</p>