Appeals Court overturns Alameda County law criminalizing sideshow spectators: violation of first amendment

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Alameda County ordinance criminalizing sideshow spectators is likely unconstitutional. The Oaklandside reporter who sued the county says the law stopped him from going to sideshows to cover them because he was concerned that police would arrest him. The First Amendment Coalition, representing the reporter said ,"Journalists need to be able to do their jobs and cover newsworthy events in public spaces but others have a right to be there as well to observe. Sideshows are newsworthy events." Alameda County supervisors say the law was designed to stop dangerous sideshows.