Labor Updates (4/18/08)

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Noise Bill Revived: A bill to limit noise levels at demonstrations was unanimously voted out by DC City Council last Tuesday. The bill had been tabled after labor and civil rights advocates opposed it out of concern it may limit free speech rights, but with Chairman Vincent Gray changing his vote, "labor lacked the necessary votes to keep the Wells/Cheh Noise Bill from remaining tabled," reports Metro Council Political Coordinator Rick Powell. Councilman Jack Evans plans to introduce amendments to the bill "that would protect those who wish to exercise their free speech rights to protest in the Nation's Capital," Powell tells UNION CITY. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the bill at their May 1st meeting.