There is much in the local Boston media about the coming DNC at the Fleet Center.
One topic is the treat of picketing by the Boston Police Patrolman’s Union. The police have been without a contract for two years, and have been picketing at the Fleet Center. Now “accelerated arbitration” has been ordered. They may still picket or protest.
The pundits are wondering if Kerry and/or Kennedy will refuse to cross the picket line. (And is it a picket line if a contract has been imposed by arbitration?). Everyone is also talking about what an embarassment this will be to Mayor Mumbles Menino.
They talk as if the Boston Police (off duty) will be picketing “at the Fleet Center”.
Why won’t they be confined to the lovely “free speech zone” that is across the street, surrounded by fences, gates and netting ? Or would they?
In practice, is an on-duty cop going to order an off-duty cop over to the free speech zone? Probably not. But are there different rules for “labor protest” vs “political protest”?
If anyone has any real info about the legalities, or if I’ve missed something
I’d appreciate any info.