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Session 1149, Iliautes Page 13 <br />December 20, 1976 <br />is then speaking for the City, and speaking for the City, the question then <br />is whether it is speaking within the law. The €''ayor said the advises the <br />Council again to request the Acting City Attorney to research the point, and <br />to inform the Council whether it is appropriate for the Council to act legis- <br />latively because, the Mayor continued, even when the Council passes a Resolu- <br />tion, it is acting legislatively. <br />Councilman 1leissenburger quoted a statement by Oliver Wendell Holmes to the <br />effect that the First Amendment does not give one the right to falsely yell <br />"Fire" and ,:Mayor Kaufman explained that he is familiar with that case, and it <br />related to an entirely different issue. <br />There was further discussion. Mayor Itaufman cautioned again that when the <br />Council adopts a Resolution or transmits a letter, it is speaking as the voice <br />of the City, and not as an individual. lie stressed that the Council cannot <br />legally and properly say that it is asking for a sense of responsibility, etc., <br />and although it could adopt a Resolution, it is not appropriate to do so. <br />Councilman ilooney expressed the view that while the Ilayor has raised a good <br />point, he thinks some moral judgment that the Council might make would certain- <br />ly be valid, and he doesn't think it is necessary to speak in the form of an <br />ordinance. Further, Councilman Mooney contended that if the Council doesn't <br />lead the City in expressing what it thinks is right or wrong, then the members <br />of the Council are denying their responsibility as elected officials. <br />Councilman Glickert concurred in this point of view, and said she certainly <br />feels the Council has a right to speak and she would like to see a letter sent <br />to the owners of.the Varsity Theatre and the rine Arts Theatre, expressing con- <br />cern and asking that they adopt a more responsible form of entertainment in <br />University City. She Moved accordingly. <br />Councilman Lieberman suggested it might be advisable if each Council member <br />were to do this individually - by writing their own letters to the local the- <br />atres, so there wouldn't be a Council action until the Acting City Attorney has <br />at least had a chance to do some research and submit his opinion. Councilman <br />Glickert said that as she understands it, the Acting City Attorney would be <br />researching some legislation, but what she is suggesting; is to write a letter <br />of concern. Again Mayor Kaufman cautioned that such action would be expressing <br />the voice of the City and this should ;got be done. <br />Councilman Lieberman said he agrees with Councilman liooney and Councilman <br />Glickert completely and said ta►at lie, too, had been very moved by some of the <br />remarks made by the reverend Jackson. Ile commented that unfortunately the <br />news media is guided by profit, but the Council must be guided by the First <br />Amendment. <br />Mayor Kaufman responded that the movies must respect the First Amendment, and <br />they have lawyers advising them; if they overstep those bounds they can be <br />hauled into a court, but he doesn't think the Council can sit here and become <br />the moral forces of these communities. €€e observed that each individual must <br />make his own judgment as to ghat is wrong or right - whether lie wants to view <br />things or doesn't want to view things. He said the Council doesn't know who <br />the person or the group is that gave these particular movies an x-Fzating, but <br />notwithstanding there is a desire on the part of some members of the Council <br />to move ahead. He said if the Council cants to promote a Resolution, it may <br />