First Amendment Activities

National parks serve as venues for people to express their First Amendment rights. Demonstrations of these rights may include picketing, speechmaking, marching, vigils, religious services, and other activities that involve communicating and expressing views or grievances with one or more people with an expectation to draw a crowd of onlookers. All demonstrations with more than 25 people require a free permit to address potential safety and resource protection considerations and to avoid conflicts with other permitted activities.

Designated First Amendment Area

Groups of 25 people or fewer do not require a permit for demonstrations in the designated First Amendment area, as long as they are not using stages, platforms, structures, or sound systems.

The designated area is on the esplanade south of the visitor center, and immediately south of the Benito Juárez-Child to Man statue and the two self-standing walls; and extending nearly to the southern barrier between the esplanade and the grass, and extending east, west, and south to nearly the concrete barriers to the grass areas. To assure visitor access to the statue and the sidewalk to the grass area to the south of the designated area and the esplanade, the designated area is separated from the statue to the north by two rows of paver triangles, and on the east, west, and south, by one row of paver triangles from the concrete barriers. The trapezoid-shaped area measures approximately 20' X 50', or 1000 square feet.

 

Designated First Amendment area, overview

 

Designated First Amendment area, detail

 

First Amendment Permit

A permit is required for demonstrations with more than 25 people or groups using stages, platforms, structures, or sound systems. There is no application fee for First Amendment permits.

Applications for demonstrations and those for sale and/or distribution of printed matter and other message bearing items will be evaluated within 10 days of receipt of a completed application.

How To Apply

1. Download the Special Use Permit application form.

2. Email the completed application form to [e-mail]. A complete application includes full name, contact information, social security or tax identification number, and signature. An incomplete application will not be processed.

After reviewing the completed application, the park’s special use coordinator will contact the applicant to discuss additional requirements and terms of the permit.

 

Your First Amendment Rights at Chamizal National Memorial

For more information about First Amendment and other permitted activities at Chamizal National Memorial, refer to the Superintendent’s Compendium. If you have additional questions about exercising your First Amendment rights in the park, please contact the park’s permit coordinator.