By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council approved a courthouse grounds policy for non-governmental functions at their regular meeting.
Earlier Meeting
The policy came about at a special meeting of council in which the Ministerial Alliance wanted to use the front steps of the courthouse for National Day of Prayer. Haywood Proctor, the spokesperson for the Ministerial Alliance, said he had spoken to Clerk of Court Gwen Hyatt who turned him down.
Hyatt said she turned down other groups because of work that needed to be done at the building since the earthquake last year. Hyatt said that they need to either stop letting groups use the grounds or let everyone use it. She said that council needs to take over the decision-making on who uses the grounds. She said she can’t say no to one group and then yes to another.
Councilman Archie Scott asked about preventing peaceful assembly. County Attorney Ken Dubose said they cannot prohibit peaceful assembly, but they can regulate it as to time, duration, numbers, banners/signage, etc.
Councilman Macio Williamson said they should be straight and say that they have a new sprinkler system that they want to protect and that they can’t have events on the grounds because it might interfere with it.
Councilman Andrew Graves said that the council was putting the clerk in a predicament since she had recently turned down one group. He said until they get a policy in place they should say no to requests because they were putting her in a bad position.
Councilman Joe Johnson made a motion to approve the use of the grounds for the National Day of Prayer and to develop a policy for future requests. This was seconded by Councilman Archie Scott. The motion was approved by a majority vote of council.
Policy
At the regular meeting, a courthouse grounds policy for non-governmental uses was approved by a majority of council..
The policy states that “the Dillon County Council wishes to recognize the right of citizens to peacefully assemble at the Dillon County Courthouse to express their views provided that said assemblies do not interfere with the use of the Dillon County Courthouse; the right of citizens’ access to the Dillon County Courthouse; provide a security threat or interfere with access to the public records and court functions at the Dillon County Courthouse; and do not provide a health or safety concern to the citizens of Dillon County.”
Details of the Policy
–The policy limits the area for peaceful assembly to the front of the courthouse facing Main Street and adjacent to the public walkway leading from Main Street to the Main Street entrance of the Dillon County Courthouse.
–It excludes the use of the front steps and says that no one can loiter of assemble on any of the steps at the courthouse.
–It says no signs, placards, or messages shall be placed on or erected on the grounds. Groups can bring a portable podium to which the name or identification of the group assembling can be attached. Persons can wear signs on their clothes or hold signs and placards while peacefully assembling.
–Groups cannot assemble if it interferes with the conducting of court or other governmental functions at the Dillon Courthouse. Functions must be held at a time when court is not taking place.
–Assemblies can only be held when adequate security is available or can be available through the police department or Sheriff’s Office.
–Events can only be held during daylight hours.
–Functions cannot interfere with access or impede access to the courthouse.
–Groups wanting to assemble must apply through the Clerk of Court on an application form produced by the Clerk of Court and approved by the Dillon County Council in accordance with the policy. Groups must specify hours and abide by the rules of the policy.
— Use of amplifying devices cannot interfere with the governmental functions conducted in the courthouse.
