A federal appeals court in Washington on Tuesday threw out rules restricting protesters from the steps of the U.S. Capitol, finding that they violated the free speech rights of demonstrators.
The 2-1 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that U.S. Capitol Police Board restrictions on demonstrations on the Capitol’s eastern steps violate the Constitution. Under rules adopted in the wake of 9/11, most demonstrations are banned with exceptions for those sponsored by members of Congress.
