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Woodstock CAN Stands Firm: The City’s Attempt to Silence Protest and Community Engagement
- woodstockcan
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
The City of Woodstock is attempting to intimidate and suppress peaceful political protest.
Over the past several weeks, city officials have escalated efforts to pressure Indivisible Woodstock CAN—a volunteer-run community group committed to civic engagement, mutual aid, and protecting our freedoms.
The trigger?
Not vandalism.
Not disorder.
Not danger.
Our crime is daring to gather on public sidewalks and speak freely.
The City's Pattern of Harassment
On April 15, 2025, the City’s Community Development Director emailed us, falsely accusing our “Chalk the Trail” Earth Day outreach of being an "act of vandalism."
In reality, it was an informal, family-friendly activity encouraging people to celebrate Earth Day by writing temporary chalk messages on public trails—something families regularly do throughout Woodstock.
No blocking sidewalks
No obstructing access
No disruption of traffic
No use of city services
When we calmly corrected them, the City shifted tactics.
On April 24, Deputy City Manager Coty Thigpen called our organizer, insisting that our May 3 protest would require a special event permit—despite the fact that we will:
Stay on public sidewalks
Avoid blocking streets
Not use amplified sound
Not require any city services
When pressed, Thigpen admitted the real reason: the City simply does not want us there.
This is not about safety.
It is about suppressing dissent.
We Are Operating Fully Within Our Rights
We are not refusing a permit out of pride or stubbornness.
We are standing on principle—and solid constitutional ground.
Peaceful protest on public sidewalks that does not block pedestrian access does not require a permit under the First Amendment.
Once a permit is filed, the city can impose restrictions, conditions, or penalties—opening the door for shutdowns and retaliation.
Complying with an unnecessary demand would set a dangerous precedent—not just for us, but for anyone who ever wants to protest peacefully in Woodstock.
Frankly, this feels like a political shakedown: pay money, ask permission, or face harassment. We will not allow the City to weaponize bureaucracy against free speech.
We are choosing the path that best protects everyone’s long-term right to protest without fear.
Here’s the Law—and Why We Are Right
1. First Amendment Core Protection
Public sidewalks and parks are traditional public forums.
Peaceful protest, picketing, and demonstration are core protected activities.
Peaceful protest on a public sidewalk does not require a permit—period.
2. What Courts Say About Permits
Cities may require permits for large disruptive events (like parades that block traffic), but not for peaceful protests that do not obstruct public use.
Key cases:
Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham (1969): Permit rules must not suppress free speech.
Cox v. New Hampshire (1941): Permits regulate logistics, not speech.
Watchtower Bible v. Stratton (2002): You cannot require a permit just to speak or leaflet on public sidewalks.
Bottom line:
No street closures, no blocking sidewalks, no city services?
No permit needed.
3. What About the City's "50+ People" Rule?
Woodstock’s ordinance claims permits are needed for events "designed or intended to attract 50 or more people."
But the law says otherwise:
Crowd size alone does not justify permit requirements.
Government cannot penalize speech based on how many people might agree.
Key case:
Forsyth County v. Nationalist Movement (1992): Crowd size and speech popularity cannot justify suppressing free expression.
We have made clear that our protest will be peaceful, orderly, and respectful of public spaces.
We are in full compliance with the law.
4. Our Track Record: Calm, Lawful, and Organized
When permits were required, we filed them.
May 5, 2024 “Hands Off” Rally:
Over 1,200 attendees peacefully filled downtown sidewalks.
Trained marshals kept sidewalks clear.
No complaints about crowd behavior or safety.
According to a Tribune-Ledger News article, "The Woodstock Police Department reported the rally was peaceful and there were no incidents."
When permits are legally needed, we comply. When they are not, we stand on our rights.
We fund all compliance costs ourselves. We are regular people—not outside-funded activists.
As one of our organizers put it, "We’re regular people—not some Soros-funded machine. Permits cost real money and real time. Until the city wants to pay our fees, we’re not paying for permission to exercise our constitutional rights."
5. Our Commitment to Safety
We are taking safety extremely seriously:
Volunteers are being trained as marshals and de-escalators.
Clear rules will be enforced: No blocking sidewalks. No obstructing traffic. No engagement with counterprotesters.
Anyone who engages in violence, blocks streets, confronts counterprotesters, or otherwise breaks the law is not part of Indivisible Woodstock CAN.
They are acting entirely outside our action, and we will not tolerate it.
The City's True Motive
This is not about protecting Woodstock’s sidewalks.
This is about controlling who gets to speak.
If they succeed in chilling peaceful protest today, it will not stop with us.
It will become easier to silence teachers, workers, veterans, parents—anyone who speaks out.
We are drawing the line now.
Our Final Word
We are standing on principle—and sound legal strategy.
We are protecting not just our protest, but the rights of everyone in Woodstock to speak, dissent, and assemble without harassment.
We are peaceful.
We are lawful.
We are organized.
And we are not going anywhere.
See you on May 3.
RSVP so you can get full safety information here: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/780756/
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