A volunteer organization in Helena urges the city to alter its event-permitting process, claiming it violates constitutional rights. Indivisible Helena, part of the nationwide Indivisible National coalition, focuses on protecting democracy. Known for organizing local “No Kings” rallies, they encountered obstacles with city permitting for gatherings, sparking a debate on the right to free speech and assembly.
Helena requires event permits and insurance, especially for gatherings exceeding 1,000 attendees, with applications submitted 90 days prior. This requirement challenged Indivisible Helena when planning an October rally at Memorial Park. “We contacted nearly 20 insurance companies… and none of them would even respond or were willing to even consider issuing coverage to us,” said Claudia Clifford, an Indivisible Helena volunteer, reflecting on the barriers to using public spaces.
The “No Kings” rallies, part of a larger movement, often see over 1,000 participants and are organized with less than 60 days’ notice. Indivisible Helena has requested the city commission amend its code to exempt events exercising political or religious rights from insurance mandates, based on the city of Missoula’s guidelines.
The letter highlights that permits cannot be denied for events responding to political controversies. Attorney David K.W. Wilson Jr. supported the group’s view, stating Helena’s requirements unconstitutionally restrict political assembly and speech. Commissioner Melinda Reed asked about the city’s response, and Mayor Emily Dean noted discussions with group members and ongoing reviews by the city attorney, who will update at an upcoming meeting.
This move by Indivisible Helena follows a similar issue at the state level when the Gianforte administration altered event permitting at the Capitol to exclude weekends. This change, made weeks before the “No Kings” rally, was later reversed after media coverage and public outcry.
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