“Free” Permit Comes Along with Significant Legal and Financial Responsibility In the 17 articles the Journal Sentinel published between July 9 and August 20, not one explained the financial and legal responsibility that comes along with applying for a permit, a concern many participants have cited as one of the reasons they choose not to get a permit. In fact the Journal Sentinel has quoted the DOA’s spokesperson Stephanie Marquis saying “the permit is free,” but failed to point out the conflicting language of the Wisconsin State Facilities Access Policy and the actual language on the permit application. The Access Policy clearly states that “individuals and organizations” are responsible for damages, may be held liable for law enforcement expenses, and “shall indemnify and hold harmless” the State of Wisconsin and its employees “against any and all suits, damages, claims or other liabilities due to personal injury or death.” The Access Policy also says it is “strongly recommended that sponsors of Capitol event… obtain liability insurance” because by getting a permit the individual or organization is “responsible for all suits, damages, claims or liabilities due to personal injury or damage to or loss of property.” The Journal Sentinel made a slight nod to the liability issues by saying in one article “because they’re not an organized group no one can assume responsibility for any damages to the building, as a permit would require,” but that statement does not represent the significant liability any individual would have to assume in order to get a permit. By signing the permit an individual or organization agrees “to pay any charges assessed… as outlined in the Wisconsin State Facilities Event and Exhibit Policy.” wcmcoop/2013/08/28/wi-capitol-police-crackdown-on-dissent-what-you-wouldnt-know-from-reading-wisconsins-newspapers/
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 07:57:34 +0000
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