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Woodstock Protest Postponed Due to Storms—But Free Speech Can’t Be Delayed
- woodstockcan
- May 2
- 4 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2025
WOODSTOCK, GA — In response to Saturday’s severe weather forecast—and amid a growing pattern of pressure and misrepresentation by city officials—Indivisible Woodstock CAN is postponing its planned May 3 protest. The protest will now take place Saturday, May 10, from 2:00–4:00 PM on the public sidewalks of downtown Woodstock.
“We’re not backing down. We’re stepping back to let the storm pass—and coming back with more people, more clarity, and more resolve,” said organizer Martha Jean Schindler. “A one-week delay is nothing compared to the decades of erosion our rights are facing.”
Organizers say the decision was based solely on safety. “Thunderstorms create a risk for everyone—including families, elders, and volunteers trained in safety support roles. We want this protest to be visible, disciplined, and safe. And it will be—next weekend.”
Who We Are
Indivisible Woodstock CAN is a nonpartisan, volunteer-led chapter of the national Indivisible movement—a grassroots organization working to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.
The group emphasizes that their mission is not about partisanship, but about protecting constitutional rights and democratic principles for all people—regardless of political affiliation.
“We’re fighting for the rights of everyone—including those we disagree with—to freely access their constitutional rights,” said Schindler. “That means protecting democracy, the rule of law, and the First Amendment—not just for us, but for every resident of Woodstock.”
City Pressure and Public Spin
This delay comes after weeks of coordinated pressure from city officials, including repeated and unconstitutional demands for a special event permit, vague warnings from law enforcement, and direct outreach to local reporters in an apparent effort to control the narrative before any conflict occurred.
In an email to The Georgia Sun, city officials informed journalists about a private meeting between police and protest organizers—before it happened and without consent—framing it as if “resolution” were expected.
In a separate message, Deputy City Manager Coty Thigpen acknowledged the constitutional disagreement but wrote:
“While I continue to believe that a permit is required, I recognize that we have a fundamental disagreement on that point and do not anticipate a resolution.”
Schindler responded:
“That line should scare everyone. It means a city official doesn’t believe the Constitution supersedes local policy—and has no intention of changing course. That’s not just a disagreement. That’s a declaration that civil rights are optional in Woodstock. We’re not going to let that stand.”
The group maintains—and has documented—that their protest is fully lawful: it will remain entirely on public sidewalks, will not block streets or use amplified sound, and will not require city services. Under decades of First Amendment precedent, such activity cannot be subject to discretionary permitting.
“Peaceful protest is not illegal,” Schindler told the Tribune Ledger News earlier this week. “If the city thinks otherwise, they’re not defending safety—they’re targeting people they disagree with.”
📄 Read the group’s full response to the Tribune article here: https://www.woodstockcan.com/post/setting-the-record-straight-about-our-protest-and-our-rights
“This is not about safety. It’s about who gets to speak—and who gets told to sit down,” Schindler added. “It’s a deliberate attempt to intimidate peaceful organizers—and we’re not falling for it.”
We Are Not a Nonprofit. We Are Not Outsiders. We Are Your Neighbors.
Indivisible Woodstock CAN is made up of local volunteers—teachers, veterans, small business owners, parents, and neighbors. They are not a registered nonprofit. They receive no outside funding. They applied for a permit on April 5 because that event used amplified sound and occurred on government property—which legally triggered the requirement. This one does not.
“We’re regular people—not some Soros-funded machine,” Schindler said. “Permits cost real money and real time. If the city wants to pay our fees and expedite applications, that’s another story. Until then, we’re not paying for permission to exercise our constitutional rights.”
Built on Safety, Not Spectacle
Indivisible Woodstock CAN has coordinated openly and in good faith with the Woodstock Police Department, providing maps, volunteer rosters, safety training materials, and invitations to public trainings. The group also offered to hire off-duty officers, writing:
“Also, if possible, we’d prefer to hire off-duty officers rather than ask the department to pull someone in without additional pay. We believe paying police for their service is absolutely worth the expense. Filing for a permit we don’t legally need is not. If you’re able to provide a rate quote or guidance on how to go about scheduling off-duty officers, we’d really appreciate it.”
Organizers had been invited to the station for an in-person meeting today, but respectfully declined—citing the event’s postponement and the fact that they have already submitted more documentation than is typically required for permitted events. They emphasized that any additional coordination can easily happen by phone or email.
“We’ve made our documentation available. We’ve offered to pay. We’ve shared our full plan. And we’ve always tried to show appreciation—we’ve literally delivered banana bread and cookies from Gustock Market to officers after past protests,” said Schindler. “There’s no need for an in-person meeting at this point—we’ve provided everything needed to ensure a safe and peaceful event.”
Organizers stressed that they appreciate the department’s past cooperation and are committed to maintaining open lines of communication going forward.
The group has made all safety materials available to the public and city:
📄 Medic Training
📄 De-Escalator Training
📄 Safety Marshal Training
See You May 10
The protest has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 10 from 2:00–4:00 PM in downtown Woodstock.
Organizers say they’re more resolved than ever—and that public interest has only grown in the face of city resistance.
“Woodstock doesn’t belong to the people in power,” said Schindler. “It belongs to the people who show up, stand firm, and defend it for everyone. That’s what we’re doing. And we’re just getting started.”
Media Contact:
Martha Jean Schindler
Instagram: @indivisiblewoodstockcan
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