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Hernando Today

Some drama, no arrests at Moore protest

Hernando Today photo by KYLE MARTIN

Hernando sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Burzumato, left, instructs activist Brian Moore on Wednesday to leave the private property that includes the office of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite. Behind him stands Deputy Dane Jenkins.

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: June 24, 2009

SPRING HILL - In the end, there were no arrests.
There was some finger-pointing and excited shouting, but that was the limit of the drama at a protest Wednesday outside U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's office in Spring Hill.
The high noon rally was the culmination of a weeklong showdown between Brian Moore and the Brooksville Republican's staff.
Moore, chairman of the NatureCoast Coalition for Peace and Justice, was pushing for the right to protest outside Brown-Waite's doors on Spring Hill Drive. She moved months ago from the downtown courthouse to provide more handicap access to her constituents, according to staff.
But the new office on Spring Hill Drive, near the National Guard Armory, is on private property and the lease prohibits public demonstrations. Moore tried several avenues around that, including getting the sheriff's office to shut down a lane of Spring Hill Drive.
When that failed, Moore declared last week he was going to protest outside the doors, regardless of what happened.
So that's what he did.
At noon Wednesday, Moore and about four others parked outside the office and unloaded signs from the trunks of their cars.
Moore, wearing sun shades and a khaki ball cap against the bright midday sun, was soon joined by several others. They planted themselves in the parking spaces directly outside the door, holding signs in support of national health care.
At 12:08 p.m., John Berg with Regent Properties emerged from the building. On behalf of the landlord, Berg officially asked Moore to leave the property.
"We have no problem with the protest; it's where it is," Berg explained.
After several minutes of back and forth dialogue, Moore made it clear his intentions were to stay put. Within minutes, two deputies arrived on the scene. Sgt. Michael Burzumato calmly, but firmly, told Moore he was requested to leave the property.
Also, he and the rest of the coalition would have to move their cars.
"Where am I supposed to park?" Moore asked.
"Wherever the public is allowed to gather," Burzumato replied.
Could he park on the roadside?
No.
Could he park at the Armory?
Not suggested.
Moore left the parking lot to find somewhere close by for his demonstrators to park. The Florida Department of Transportation opened their parking lot.
"The state of Florida will let us park there," Moore shouted as he crossed Spring Hill Drive. "The state of Florida has some humanity."
With everyone finally situated on the right of way, Moore explained why he chose not to be arrested: The American Civil Liberties Union believes they have a case to argue about congressional delegates allotting space for public demonstrations.
Violating the law would tarnish their credibility and they would lose the support of the ACLU, Moore said.
"It was a strategic decision," he said.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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