2/19/2015
The added security the Garland ISD assigns when controversy comes to the Curtis Culwell Center is paid for up-front, the president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative said today.
Pamela Geller said the group was charged roughly $10,000 for security when it booked the school district’s arena as the site of the May 3 “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest.”
The money will pay for 40 extra officers at the site. Garland ISD includes security costs in all contracts that involve the Culwell Center arena.
“That’s the first time in any of our events across America,” Geller said. “We had a Ground Zero mosque protest that drew over 35,000 people. Police presence was intense and we didn’t pay a dime. I’ve never seen anything like that where you have to pay for police. … That’s what we call the high cost of freedom.”
She also said the police presence was more than what was needed at the Jan. 17 “Stand with the Prophet” event at the Culwell Center, where she led protesters.
“That event was in no danger. It was a completely peaceful protest,” She said. “I have held scores of protests. Never has there been a violent incident. I’m more afraid of staying quiet. That to me is far scarier.”
GISD also reserves the right to approve promotional materials, she said, and its officials balked at AFDI’s poster as “inflammatory.” She said the district backed off prohibiting the poster under threat of lawsuit.
A Garland City Councilman’s request to make sure the city was being reimbursed for the enhanced police presence was made Monday night at the council’s work session.
source
The added security the Garland ISD assigns when controversy comes to the Curtis Culwell Center is paid for up-front, the president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative said today.
Pamela Geller said the group was charged roughly $10,000 for security when it booked the school district’s arena as the site of the May 3 “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest.”
The money will pay for 40 extra officers at the site. Garland ISD includes security costs in all contracts that involve the Culwell Center arena.
“That’s the first time in any of our events across America,” Geller said. “We had a Ground Zero mosque protest that drew over 35,000 people. Police presence was intense and we didn’t pay a dime. I’ve never seen anything like that where you have to pay for police. … That’s what we call the high cost of freedom.”
She also said the police presence was more than what was needed at the Jan. 17 “Stand with the Prophet” event at the Culwell Center, where she led protesters.
“That event was in no danger. It was a completely peaceful protest,” She said. “I have held scores of protests. Never has there been a violent incident. I’m more afraid of staying quiet. That to me is far scarier.”
GISD also reserves the right to approve promotional materials, she said, and its officials balked at AFDI’s poster as “inflammatory.” She said the district backed off prohibiting the poster under threat of lawsuit.
A Garland City Councilman’s request to make sure the city was being reimbursed for the enhanced police presence was made Monday night at the council’s work session.
source
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