First Amendment Activities Involving Groups of 25 or More Restricted to Specific Areas

Request a Permit

Please contact the Special Use Permit Coordinator by email or by calling 270 358-3137 to recieve the permit form and more information about the application process. 

 

Additional Information about Permits

 

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly are Constitutional Rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources.

Special events that fall under First Amendment rules include:

• Distribution and/or sale of printed matter
• Religious services
• Public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.
• Collecting signatures for petitions

First Amendment activities with over 25 participants require special use permits, and the park may regulate the time, place and manner in which they are conducted.

A small group is defined as "25 people or less." A "small group" is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within a park's designated First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or hand held signs. A permit is required for any small group that:

• Wants to hold a demonstration or distribution and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area.
• Wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc.) even if it is within a designated area.
• Is an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person maximum.
• Wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas.
  
  

Items of Note

All permits issued by the National Park Service are "revocable" without notice if the terms of the permit are violated.

At no time may other visitors' experiences be directly impeded by any special use. They may not be approached, solicited, or harassed in any way.

All printed material that will be distributed must be attached to the initial application for review.

The more information you provide on the application results in a faster review process. It is better for us to have too much information than not enough, so please be as descriptive as possible in regards to what your activity will look like and involve.