Litigation on Free Speech in Charleston, Brown v. Charleston has resumed

Work defending Free Speech in Charleston in the Federal Courts in the Brown v. Charleston case has resumed. 

Activity on Brown v. Charleston was suspended after Attorney William Hamilton was severely injured while preparing Rosa Parks Pancakes at the April 19 demonstration at Brittlebank Park. A small butane stove exploded, inflicting 3rd. Degree Burns on Hamilton's right arm. He was in the MUSC Burn Unit for 25 days and two surgeries. He's now off major pain medication and approaching full recovery. 

The city has filed an answer to Our Complaint, which you can now read online. Answer of the City of Charleston. Mayor Cogswell appears to be eager to avoid involvement in this litigation. Please read the City's answer and respond to us immediately with your input. 

The Court is also issuing a scheduling order, which sets deadlines for important activities in the case, like discovery, depositions, and the naming of witnesses. 

Image, right, Plaintiff Louise Brown leading a demonstration for better transit in Charleston 

Bursey to Be Named as Expert for the Plaintiffs

The Plaintiffs plan to name Brett Bursey, of the SC Progressive Network as an expert witness on the issues of Demonstration organization and safety. Bursey has been an activist in SC since the 1970s and famously began his career by taking over the USC President's Office and Administration Building on Confederate Memorial Day, 1971 as part of a Vietnam protest. 

Since then, he has organized hundreds of social justice events, many involving thousands of people, including numerous protests at the SC State House and demonstrations at the Gate of the Savannah River Plant to protest nuclear weapons production and nuclear waste issues. He has run the SC progressive network for over 25 years and formerly ran the Grow Workshop and Point Newspaper. He served time in federal prison in the 1970s for activities related to his social justice efforts, but has grown to become the most respected living social justice advocate in the State of South Carolina. 

Last Saturday, the City did allow the Democratic Socialists of America to hold a demonstration at Brittlebank Park with tables, tents, and PA (See above image), which it had previously refused to do elsewhere on previous occasions. It may be that the City now understands, after legal study, that at least some of it's polices are unconstitutional and is attempting to avoid being embarrassed in court. 

Lowcountry Up is Good, PAC, Inc. has also started a legal observer program, built on the existing ACLU program both to help protect local activists during their social justice actions and to develop and preserve evidence for this case. 

Bring Us Your Evidence 

Before there is a trial in the case, the court will consider several important motions. If you have evidence relevant to the case about the current state of free speech in Charleston, please contact William Hamilton. To put evidence before the court, a sworn affidavit is required. Hamilton will help you prepare yours. 

For more information contact

William J. Hamilton, III
Attorney at Law
(843) 870-5299 OR
wjhamilton29464@gmail.com 
https://bsky.app/profile/wjhamilton29464.bsky.social