Oregon State Fair Security Threatens Lawful Petitioners with Arrest

(SALEM, Ore.) - Lawsuits are possible against the State Fair for violating Oregonians right to free speech and for taking actions that have a chilling effect on citizen’s ability to lawfully campaign.

The head of Security for the Oregon State Fair threatened Billy Kyle Locasio with arrest for lawfully petitioning and registering voters outside the gates of the Oregon State Fair September 1.

Gary Chichester told Locasio that if he continued registering voters and recruiting support for Measure 74, he would be arrested. Security personnel had earlier told Locasio that he could not enter the fair if he had petitions inside his backpack.

Locasio will continue his lawful work registering voters and recruiting support at the Main Gate of the State Fair today at 3pm. He will not be deterred by the unconstitutional intimidation by security personnel exceeding their legal authority.

Locasio is working for Regulate Medical Marijuana, a campaign committee formed to support Measure 74 which is on the November ballot. The measure will create a licensed and regulated supply system to supplement the current medical marijuana law.

“We are following the rules. We are exercising our free speech rights as American citizens and we will not be bullied by overzealous security employees who disagree with our issue. The State Fair is an important public event and our right to engage our fellow Oregonians there is protected by the U.S. Constitution. The State Fair has published rules for people doing political work at the Fair gates and we are following the rules to the letter,” said John Sajo the director of Regulate Medical Marijuana. “We will not be intimidated.”

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was fair Supporter January 21, 2011 1:06 pm (Pacific time)

Yes i was with my kids and as a Cancer and Autism advacate I SEEN Security that day i was in line. I was fair Supporter!Due to the Constitution they are Security will be end to high attendance now.

Billy Kyle September 6, 2010 3:27 pm (Pacific time)

That is not even your own, owned and earned opinon. It is a Thoudand years of your parents and thieir parents. It is yout 3rd grade teacher and his fathers opinion. You come petition with me for 10 days in all kinds of weather, amidst the ABUSE of law and power OF LAW AND POWER BY DOOSHBAGS LIKE GARY CHICHESTER. I challenge yout sobbing and conplaints which i am forever in debt to, to come petition With me. Are you possibly Brian Silcot? Head organizer of the state fair? Simeonr who must remain veiled and hidden? Who cares right! Take the Challenge boy. Love Billy Kyle. Spiritual being having a human experience.

Card Holder September 4, 2010 11:18 am (Pacific time)

It is no secret that it is all about money. Just look at the cars voter power people drive! They brag about 10lb plants but share only bunk and want to sell the rest. Even if you are a long time associate you can't get free meds even after donations of same. I think the US gov. should RECO ACT the Oregon health div. for their part also! Any card holder of any length of time knows it is all about getting money for the WEED. Sad.

John Sajo September 4, 2010 8:56 am (Pacific time)

Apparently the threat of a lawsuit and the bright light of media caused State Fair officials to rethink their position and back off. This is one more example of how activists trying to reform marijuana laws are often hassled and denied their rights. The lesson is: Stand up for your rights. We have free speech in America, but overzealous officials often forget it and believe they have the power to tell Americans what when and how they can speak to their fellow citizens about controversial issues. We have free speech in American but sometimes you have to be willing to be arrested to prove it.

74 Supporter September 4, 2010 8:38 am (Pacific time)

Billy Kyle Locasio has some pretty shady tactics interacting with voters. It is wrong he is being turned away, but he needs to clean up his act. In my opinion, he is a terrible representative for 74. I support the ballot measure, but would never sign anything he was pushing as it feels tainted!

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Oregon State Fair Security Threatens Lawful Petitioners with Arrest

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