Why are sheriff’s deputies hassling transit tax repeal petitioners at the Mecklenburg County courthouse? The official reason, so far, is “security concerns.”
But by that standard any kind of group activity near a public building, let alone constitutionally-protected petitioning of the government, could — possibly — be a security issue.
Sounds like Charlotte’s extreme inexperience with direct democracy is showing.
Recall that it will only take 50,000 or so signatures to get a repeal of the half-cent countywide transit on the ballot for November. If that distinct possibility is making the Powers That Be in Charlotte nervous, good. Very good.
But let’s make it clear that peacefully asking for signatures on a vital issue of the day, near a busy public building, is no threat to the republic. In fact, nothing ensures our continued freedom more.
