If Martha Burk balks at laws governing public protest in Augusta, city officials say they will be prepared to fight back with a newly revised and federally sound statute.
On Tuesday, Augusta commissioners will be asked to approve an updated city ordinance that, in part, requires groups of five or more people, gathering for the purpose of public demonstration, to first obtain a permit from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
Although such an ordinance already exists, the amended law "defines the process in greater detail," said City Attorney Jim Wall, including requiring protesters to submit a permit application 30 days in advance. No timeline is given under the existing law.
After an application has been filed, the sheriff's office has up to 10 business days to approve or deny it, according to the new ordinance, and a denial can be appealed for judicial review up to five days later.
The new law will ensure that the city "complies with court decisions concerning free speech issues," Mr. Wall said.
Two civil-rights groups, the National Council of Women's Organizations and the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/Push Coalition, have promised to show up in force outside the Augusta National Golf Club's gates this year to voice opposition to the club's male-only membership.
Ms. Burk, the chairwoman of the women's council, said last month that she has been consulting her attorney and a U.S. attorney about local law enforcement's jurisdiction over the matter.
After months of litigating in federal court over the city's adult-entertainment ordinances, which have been challenged by Augusta Video X-Mart, local officials say they want to get other local ordinances in line with federal law.
Although the city has received no permit applications concerning Masters Week protests, Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength has said that public safety will take precedence over free speech, declaring public property surrounding the Augusta National off limits.
"No. 1 with us is public safety - safety for the citizens and anybody else in any location, not just there (at the National)," he said. "Safety has got to take precedent in anything."
Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215 or heidi.williams@augustachronicle.com.
Have a thought? Go to the 
