Park department to discuss protesters issue Wednesday
By Peter Ciancone
Tribune-Star
The board of the Terre Haute Park and Recreation Department will meet in special session Wednesday to discuss groups using Fairbanks and Voorhees parks on the day before and day of Timothy McVeigh's execution.
Normally the parks close at sunset, and groups are required to hold permits for gatherings and speeches there, said Park Department Superintendent Maralee Britton. The resolution the Park Board will consider Wednesday will establish the protesters right to gather and speak throughout the night of May 15-16.
McVeigh is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at 7 a.m. May 16. Groups will be allowed to gather and speak starting at 6 p.m. May 15 and continue through noon May 16.
Voorhees Park has been designated as a gathering place for those in favor of the death penalty. Fairbanks Park will be the site of anti-death penalty activities.
Estimates of the size of the anticipated crowds vary, with some anti-death penalty advocates suggesting as many as 1,000 protesters will visit Terre Haute during that week.
The meeting is 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Torner Center in Deming Park.
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