.png)
Setting the Record Straight About Our Protest — and Our Rights
- woodstockcan
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: May 2
This week’s Tribune Ledger News article about our upcoming May 3 protest covered some key points — but based on the city employees quoted and public comments on the article, there are still a few important things we want to clear up.
Here’s the article we’re responding to:
We want to set the record straight:
⸻
We are not a nonprofit.
Indivisible Woodstock CAN is a group of local volunteers — your neighbors, teachers, small business owners, parents, and grandparents — who believe in standing up for the freedoms that belong to everyone. We organize ourselves in a grassroots way, with no outside funding and no official nonprofit structure.
⸻
We applied for a permit on April 5 because of amplified sound and government property use.
Our Hands Off protest on April 5 used a sound system and took place on government property at the Chambers at City Center, which legally triggered the permit requirement.
This Saturday, May 3, we are standing and walking peacefully on public sidewalks — without amplification, without blocking streets — and without requiring a permit.
Peaceful assembly on public sidewalks, when it does not obstruct others, is fully protected by the First Amendment. No government permission required.
⸻
We had a backup plan on April 5 that looked a lot like what we are doing now.
While we appreciated that the City expedited our April 5 permit (and we showed our thanks with flowers and a handwritten note), it’s important to be clear:
We did not need a permit to assemble.
We had a contingency plan ready — and our May 3 protest follows the same principles: peaceful, disciplined, and fully within the law.
⸻
The April 5 event was part of a national day of action involving hundreds of organizations across the country.
It was a rare, coordinated effort to generate massive turnout nationwide — not just in Woodstock.
We don’t expect 1,200 people to show up regularly.
But if large numbers ever gather again, we’ll figure it out — and we’ll make sure that everyone’s rights and safety are protected.
⸻
We are extremely cooperative with the Woodstock Police Department.
We had a very positive conversation with Woodstock police this week to ensure they have all the information they need — and more.
We provided detailed plans, shared our volunteer training materials, and invited officers to attend our public trainings.
(Our public trainings are open to everyone — civil servants included — because we believe in operational transparency.)
⸻
We are not anti-cop, and we are not anti-politician. We are pro-civil servant.
We believe most people who work for the city — whether police, permit staff, or elected officials — want to serve their community.
We are always willing to work with people who approach us reasonably and respectfully.
Unfortunately, the city’s initial emails and phone calls about this protest began with threats and false accusations — not collaboration.
We will not be bullied.
We will not be pushed around by misuse of government authority.
Standing up calmly and firmly for the rights of everyone — even when it’s uncomfortable — is part of what makes a strong, free community.
⸻
We are exploring options to hire off-duty police officers if needed in the future.
We would prefer to pay off-duty officers directly — the same way churches, schools, and other organizations do — rather than asking the department to pull officers into work on what should have been their day off.
Everyone deserves a day off — especially at a protest honoring May Day, a celebration of workers’ rights.
We believe paying officers fairly for their time and service is absolutely worth it.
Filing for a permit we do not legally need, however, is not.
⸻
We are happy to forward the full email thread with the city’s permit office to anyone who wishes to review it.
Transparency matters. If you have questions, we’re happy to show the record.
⸻
If you would like to read more about the background with the Deputy City Manager, the permit office, and the city’s broader attempt to pressure peaceful protests, you can read our full statement here:
⸻
Want to Help?
Until our donation system is fully up and running, you can support our work — including helping cover the costs of hiring off-duty officers and supporting local families — by donating through Indivisible Woodstock CAN volunteer and Georgia House candidate Danielle Bell:
🔗 Donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/woodstockcan
Every dollar helps us protect civil rights and strengthen our community from the ground up.
⸻
At the End of the Day:
We believe in Woodstock.
We believe in the Constitution.
And we believe that standing up peacefully for our freedoms is not just our right — it’s our responsibility.
We hope you’ll stand with us.
RSVP for the protest here:
Comments