Source: Sin City Chamber of Commerce (SCCC)
By: Company Press Release
“The ACLU of Nevada is very pleased by the decision in the Coyote Publishing case, invalidating, on First Amendment grounds, a ban on publishing or distributing advertising or information about legal brothels: 1) on streets, highways and theaters throughout Nevada, or 2) anywhere in counties where legal brothels do not exist. This is a major victory for free speech.
The Court reiterated that all legal, licensed businesses have the right to truthful, non-misleading advertising of their products and services, and that a paternalistic government cannot censor speech because it doesn’t want the public to know about legal brothels, or any other so-called ‘vice’.” Allen Lichtenstein General Counsel ACLU of Nevada.
(LAS VEGAS, NV) — The Sin City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a very positive development for Free Speech and for Free Market Enterprise in Las Vegas. It may be a surprise to many that until recently, legal Nevada Brothels were forbidden from simply placing print ads. Brothel owners faced serious fines and jail time along with the publishers due to a clearly unconstitutional law that discriminated against a legal and licensed industry. It is with great pleasure to announce that the recent victory of the Aclu has enabled legal Nevada Brothels to place print advertisements legally.
“The economic impact will be tremendous. I received a call this morning from the Debbie Rivenburgh the Madam of the Chicken Ranch Brothel who is actively seeking Sin City Chamber Member’s that are publishers of local magazines and informationals to begin advertising anew” commented Michael Russell, Executive Vice President. “This is going to be a boom for Chamber Member’s that are advertising agencies, graphic designers, and publishers. We are very thankful that the ACLU has helped make this happen for all of our members.” (Chamber Member Ad Sales / Publishers: contact michael@sincitychamberofcommerce.com )
Since 2004, when the Chicken Ranch Brothel signed up as a Charter Member of the Sin City Chamber of Commerce, they made it clear that this was a major concern and truly unfair. Although not a political organization, the SCCC was determined to shed light on this travesty. One of the 4 questions submitted at the Governors debate was on this topic and in meetings with our friends at the Aclu, the SCCC made it clear that this was an important issue for all businesses.
“It is with great pleasure that we received the news that the courts have overturned the NRS forbidding the advertising of brothels in the counties that forbid houses of prostitution in Nevada. This law, enacted years ago, singled out and was obviously discriminatory towards the brothel industry. We thank Sin City Chamber Member ACLU for leading the charge to have the law overturned. We feel sure that the brothels of Nevada will use discretion in their new advertising efforts and are proud to represent those that have chosen to join the Sin City Chamber. To that end, our 4th annual barbecue and Golf Tournament at the World Famous Chicken Ranch will be held on May 2nd, 2008. This will be a celebration of Freedom and Democracy in light of the recent ruling” commented Wayne Bridge, CEO.
It is very important for the SCCC to recognize the tireless and selfless work done by the individuals at the ACLU and for taking on this very important Business Issue. We are very happy to list the ACLU as a Member of the Sin City Chamber of Commerce and to see the positive affect they have had on our Membership. In 2006, Gary Peck of the ACLU accepted the Non-Profit of the Year Award for the first ever Sin City Business Awards. “You may not agree with everything the ACLU does, but the importance of the issues at hand make it paramount that you join us and play an active role in defending Free Speech” Gary Peck at the 2006 SCCC Business Awards.
About the ACLU:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is our nation’s guardian of liberty. The ACLU is a nationwide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and defending the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and laws of the United States. The ACLU was founded by a roomful of activists in 1920 outraged by the civil liberties abuses they were witnessing all around them. Now, the ACLU is truly a national organization with over 550,000 members and supporters as well as affiliate or national chapter offices in all fifty states and Puerto Rico. The ACLU has always maintained the position that civil liberties must be respected, even in times of national emergency.
About the Sin City Chamber of Commerce:
The Sin City Chamber of Commerce is a member based business organization located in Las Vegas and created to promote with equality, respect and fairness the businesses that provide the products and services that Sin City Las Vegas is noted for worldwide. The Sin City Chamber of Commerce’s website and publications are designed to provide a centralized reference guide for consumers to access the businesses that cater to their diverse interests when visiting Las Vegas, Nevada and Sin City. Call 702-450-7222 or visit www.sincitychamberofcommerce.com for membership information.
