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PPA makes headlines once again!

Press Release

ACLU challenges Town of Parker’s ban on display of American flags at charity fundraising event for military families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2008

Acting on behalf of an organization planning a benefit to raise money for the families of active military personnel, the ACLU of Colorado today challenged the Town of Parker’s ban on the display of banners and American flags during the special event planned for June 4 at a privately owned restaurant in Parker.
   
Gary Adler, President and CEO of the Pro Players Association, asked for the ACLU’s assistance after Parker officials insisted that his application for a permit depended on his agreement to comply with the Town’s conditions.  He was told that flags and banners are forbidden.  According to Adler, at a public hearing held to consider his fundraiser, the City Attorney confirmed that even a display of the American flag was forbidden under the Town’s rules.
 
In a letter sent to the Parker Town Attorney today, the ACLU explained that the City’s effort to enforce a “no flags” and “no banners” rule violates the sponsor’s First Amendment rights.

“Forbidding the display of the American flag violates not only the Constitution,” said Mark Silverstein, ACLU Legal Director.  “It also violates common sense.  There is no legitimate justification for imposing such an absurd prohibition on the sponsor of any event.  It is particularly offensive in this case, where the sponsor expects an honor guard in military uniforms to be carrying American flags as part of the event’s patriotic message.”

The ACLU’s letter asks that the Town Attorney issue the requested permit and immediately withdraw any threat to enforce the “no flags” and “no banners” rule during the Celebrity Bartender Night planned for June 4 at Joe’s Crab Shack in Parker.

The ACLU’s letter is available on the ACLU of Colorado web site at http://www.aclu-co.org/news/pressrelease/release_parker_flag_regs_052208.htm

 

 

TheDenverChannel.com

 
 
  • Video:

Post Office Won't Let Charity Reuse Boxes


Reusing Cardboard Postal Boxes Illegal

Shipper Must Pay To Use Old Priority, Express Mail Boxes

By Dayle Cedars, 7NEWS Reporter

POSTED: 10:47 pm MDT April 29, 2008
UPDATED: 3:27 pm MDT April 30, 2008

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- A Castle Rock man has been warned that reusing a United States Postal Service "Priority Mail" cardboard box is against federal law.

Gary Adler said he was just recycling a box that was going to be thrown in the trash, but the Postal Service said that kind of repurposing is illegal.

Adler uses the boxes to mail sports memorabilia for his nonprofit organization Pro-Players Association.

"We recycle old boxes that we get at the grocery store or from other merchants, and Dumpster dive sometimes," said Adler.

Sometimes, Adler used the "Priority Mail" boxes that were left in the trash near the P.O. boxes.

"We took off the tape and we took off the old label that was on there originally," said Adler, describing a box he recently sent that was returned by the Postal Service.

"And we re-taped this box that was originally this way and we made it this way," showing how he turned the box inside-out so it's brown on the outside and not white.

But the Postal Service said what Adler did is against postal regulations. He is being warned not to do it again, but if he continues to reuse "Priority Mail" boxes, he could be charged with misuse of postal property.

 
 
 
 
 

"Our Priority Mail and Express Mail boxes are, bottom line, supposed to be used for that service," said Nicole Reiter with the Postal Service. "That is what they are intended to be used for."

The Postal Service said it promotes recycling, as long as customers pay accordingly, even if the box is turned inside out.

"It is important that the customer uses it for the proper service," said Reiter. Reiter said customers sometimes order their priority and express mail boxes online and then try to use them standard mail. She said that makes it difficult for the USPS to determine which boxes are new or reused.

"I think it is stupid. Tentatively, this box was on its way to the Dumpster at the post office," said Adler. "Here, the post office is saying you can't use our boxes for recycling, go find something else."

The U.S. Post Office refused to accept Adler's recycled "Priority Mail" boxes. Adler said because of this incident he will no longer use the U.S. Postal Service to mail his packages.

Reiter said the boxes are a cost to the Postal Service and it supplies them for free to customers who pay for priority or express mail. She said enforcing the no-recycling rule would keeps postal rates low for everyone.


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