NEWBURYPORT — Yesterday afternoon's small demonstration in support of former presidential candidate and economist Lyndon LaRouche garnered some complaints that material handed out was inappropriate for city streets.
The two-person demonstration was held outside the post office on Pleasant Street. The two LaRouche supporters, who would not give their names and refused an interview, stood next to a table set up to give out handouts about LaRouche.
In front of the table, a sign depicting President Obama with a doctored Hitler moustache resulted in some residents complaining to post office employees and police that the demonstration was inappropriate.
"We did get some complaints about the content," Lt. Rick Siemasko said. "The post office did complain they were blocking the steps as well, so we sent an officer down there to talk to them about moving away from the steps."
Siemasko said in terms of content, there is little police can do.
"It's protected speech," he said. "Offensive speech is protected speech, and they have a right to their opinions."
Siemasko said unless a protester is using fighting words or threatening imminent battery, anyone is allowed to protest or share their opinion on the streets as long as it is done in an orderly way.
"They have a right to their opinion," he said. "They don't even need a permit."
Last month, demonstrations were held in Toronto, Canada, and closer to home, demonstrations are held every week at Bridgewater State College.
LaRouche is a frequent candidate for United States president with eight campaigns since 1976.
He is the founder and contributing editor of the Executive Intelligence Review, in which he has written about economic, scientific and political topics.
Among yesterday's handouts, a magazine titled "Down with the British Empire" was given to those who donated $5 toward the movement.
The magazine included articles claiming the country is run as a dictatorship and not buying into the idea that a vaccination for the H1N1 virus is needed.
Motioning toward the image of Obama with a Hitler moustache, one passer-by noted, "It would be different if the person on the sign was white."
Yesterday, one of the two demonstrators noted his distaste of Obama's health care plan and glorified former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as the last great president. He said they chose to set up in front of the post office because it had a large American flag in front of it.
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