Petitioning for the
Rights of Our Children with Special Needs is Legal on the Streets
and in the Public Parks of Princeton Township, New Jersey
A volunteer for the NJ IDEIA 2004 Organizing Committee was recently contacted
by an attorney resident of Princeton, New Jersey who suggested in an e-mail
letter that
"soliciting support for legislation" violates Township
ordinances. The letter was in response to successful petitioning at a ball
game in a public park in Princeton.
Instead of taking anyone's word for it, our organization checked directly with
the source, the Princeton Township administration. We specifically asked
about "talking to people in public parks and on public streets about the issue
of special education law in Princeton."
As we expected, we still have the right
to free speech on the streets and in the public parks of Princeton Township.
It was also made quite clear by the Princeton Township attorney that the
Township recognizes a clear distinction between "solicitation" and
"petitioning." Indeed he made clear that the Township's solicitation law
does not cover the issue of petitioning at all.
Below is letter from the Princeton Attorney that makes clear that we do indeed
have the right to petition on behalf of our children on the streets and in the
public parks of Princeton, NJ.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Schmierer [mailto:e.schmierer@mgplaw.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 11:20 AM
To: bwitanek@igc.org
Subject: RE: Is Petitioning Illegal In Princeton?
I am writing as the Princeton Township attorney to respond to your
question about circulating in the township a petition advocating student
rights. There is no prohibition to circulating such a petition in the
township. We do have a solicitation ordinance(Sec.14-5 of the Code) but
this regulates those who solicit in the township selling goods, etc.
Circulating a petition is not covered. We think it is a good practice,
however, if you plan to go door to door with the petition, to let the
police department when you will be in town. This will avoid confusion
should the police receive calls from residents asking who are the people
in town with the petition. We also suggest that the petition circulation
stop when it gets dark so that, again, calls do not come into the
police. Good luck with your petition drive.
Ask the Advocate
NJ Complaint Form (MS Word)
(PDF)
On Line Public Hearing on IDEIA 2004
Survey on NJ OSEP Complaint
Process
Past Activities
IEP Wkshp
Rec. Programs for
those w/ Disabilities
An Evening of Educational Advocacy
September 8, 2005 Edison, NJ
What The Student Advocate Has Done for Our Children
Lately . . .
NJ IDEIA 2004 Organizing Committee
Minutes of IDEIA 2004 meeting on Thu., May
26
Student Rights Radio
Discussion, October 31
Effort to
Reach Gubernatorial Hopefuls and Acting Governor / Candidates
IDEA: An Update
Dec. 5, 2005
Middletown
January 18,
2006: Hold a Candle Light for Our Children's Rights
50 Strong For Our
Children
No. Jersey Radio Interview Aired, 1/22
Petitioning for Rights Children: Legal in Princeton
Interview on NJ IDEIA Rights
- Racial Disparities in Sp-Ed
Call
is Heard in Montgomery Twp: Inclusive Recreation
NJSAU Minutes 2/18/2006
Playing and Singing for
Our Rights, 4/1/6
Better IDEA Laws for Special Education
Students?
Better IEPs? Anything is Possible!
April
1 Report: Student Advocacy Union - Fundraising Concert
Mobilization for Rights
of Our Children, May 17, 2006, Trenton
Nationwide Internet Radio Rally for Sp-Ed Parent Rights
9pm EST, Sat. May 20
Parents’ Rally @ Statehouse in Trenton Thursday, June 8, 2006
Piscataway Parents Mtg, June 19, 2006