ICAS Supports Salute to Veterans with Amicus Brief

[Eric Friedebach]

From today's ICAS FastFacts email:

ICAS Supports Salute to Veterans with Amicus Brief

ICAS recently submitted an amicus curiae brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of an appeal by the Salute to Veterans Celebration in Columbia, Missouri, of an Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that could have an impact on all air show event organizers.

The Eighth Circuit Court had ruled that air shows become "state actors" when they involve federal or state agencies in the planning of those events or when they rely on public services (police, fire department) during the event. And, the Eighth Circuit Court further found, when an air show becomes a "state actor," it must accommodate protesters and other individuals and organizations with a contrary or opposing view to the organization organizing and conducting the event.

In its amicus brief, ICAS argued that simply making use of government services does not and should not turn an air show into a "state actor." ICAS observed that this would obligate nearly every civilian air show in the United States to accommodate nearly every group or individual that wanted to use the air show as an opportunity to protest. Moreover, this ruling would affect not just air shows, but bicycle races, parades, county fairs, cub scout picnics and any other event that makes use of federal or state agencies to plan or conduct the event.

[EDowning]

The Salute to Veterans Airshow has been dealt a horrible blow on this ACLU backed bull. I did the show this year and they couldn't be better people. I found out about this lawsuit this year and I have committed to do the show for free next year, so the can get sponsorship for the show to raise money. I have also solicted a few friends to help out and we have a couple of T6s, a T-28 and a P-51, that will be attended for free as well to help raise money and get the show healthy again. They had to write a $270,000 check to the lawsuit.