I'm planning on opening a booth for an annual festival my town has this year. The booth will feature information on atheism as well as providing support to those who have family who disapprove of their views. The only concern I have is being barred from doing it by the organization that manages the festival. What can I do to circumvent this problem if it should arise?
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It it a private or public group?
It's an outdoor annual festival that the town has. The organization that handles it sells booths at $20 a pop. Anyone can come to it so I guess it would be considered a public affair.
Different municipalities have different laws. Are you in the U.S.? If so, then for the most part, gatherings that are sponsored by a public entity (e.g. a city government) cannot discriminate. If it is sponsored by a private organization but is on public land, they typically cannot discriminate (e.g. Races for Cures, Scottish Highland games) but this can be a bit greyer based on local law. If it is a privately sponsored event on private property, they typically can keep you out.
Where you are likely to encounter more problems is not from preventing you from setting up your booth, but from fundies who are attending the event who may harass you.
It is on public ground, the organization is a public entity as far as I know, and I live in the U.S. I'm also fully aware of the potential harassment.
Then it sounds to me like they can't keep you out. Good luck! Looking forward to hearing how it goes.
(It's such a crying shame that we have to be so aware of the potential harassment.).
Thanks for the support!
Nice. If you encounter a big fat No, then there are atheist legal resources you could notify if you want.
Can you recommend any specific ones?
The ACLU is one.