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| Date: From: Subject: | 8/18/2008 1:56:44 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Missouri--Action Still Needed to Stop Grain Valley Daytime Curfew |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== August 18, 2008 Missouri--Action Still Needed to Stop Grain Valley Daytime Curfew Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, Homeschoolers in Grain Valley have taken the first step toward defeating the proposed daytime curfew ordinance under consideration by the Grain Valley Board of Aldermen. Thanks to the families who attended the meeting last week and spoke up, the Board of Aldermen decided to table the proposed ordinance, instead of voting to pass it, as many anticipated would happen. However, this measure is still under consideration, and your action is still urgently needed to make sure it is defeated. The Board of Alderman meets tonight at 6 p.m. for a workshop, and the daytime curfew ordinance is on the agenda. This will be a public meeting, but the discussion will be limited to the Board. If at all possible, you should attend this meeting in order to communicate your objection to the proposal through your physical presence. The Board needs to be reminded that the families of Grain Valley will not tolerate such a broad attack on their fundamental rights. ACTION REQUESTED If you live in Grain Valley, please stand up for freedom by attending the meeting tonight, August 18, and show by your presence that you oppose the ordinance. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Grain Valley City Hall at 711 Main St. Please contact other families and ask them to come to the meeting, as well! BACKGROUND: 1. Daytime curfews do not deter juvenile crime. A recent California study compared the juvenile crime rates of counties that enforced curfew ordinances and counties that did not. The crime rates were the same. The curfews had no effect on juvenile crime. 2. Daytime curfews allow searches without probable cause. The Fourth Amendment forbids any investigation of a citizen without a "probable cause." The proposed ordinance allows policemen to stop and interrogate a person merely because he looks young enough to be violating the curfew. It is an invitation to harass homeschool families. 3. Daytime curfews assume a person is guilty until proven innocent. In several incidents where homeschool students were stopped by police, they had done nothing to arouse suspicion. There was no evidence they had committed a crime or intended to. Nonetheless, the police interrogated them and treated them like criminals until they had proved their innocence. 4. The ordinance allows some exceptions. Unfortunately, the only way for a policeman to determine if an exception applies is to stop and interrogate the frightened young person. By then the damage has already been done. The child may be afraid to go outdoors again. The right to homeschool includes the right to be free from fear--especially for young people, who are most vulnerable to feelings of fear. Thank you for standing with us for freedom. Sincerely, Scott A. Woodruff HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many news articles did you read this morning over your oatmeal? We live in a world where concise information presented at the right time can make a big difference in the outcome of important legislative efforts. Yet it's tough to keep up with all the issues that affect you. HSLDA does this for you in the areas that affect your homeschool. Our emails and website enable you to take quick, decisive action. Please consider becoming a part of this team. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
