Free speech demonstration

	TRR photo by David Hulse (Click for larger image)

MONTICELLO, NY — Frank Kullon’s controversial painting was temporarily back in the lobby of the Sullivan County Government Center on June 19 as members of the Sullivan County Peace Alliance used it as a focal point for a demonstration in favor of free speech, “which I feel I’m losing in my own county,” said Callicoon resident Fran Hepburn.

Heidi Schneider of Narrowsburg said about 150 persons had signed petitions opposing the county’s censorship of the painting.

At the afternoon meeting of the legislature, Chair Leni Binder said ongoing litigation limited her response to Maris Hearn’s presentation of the petitions. Hearn, a Forestburgh resident, told the legislators that she “totally outraged by this blatant act of censorship that was done in my name.”

Binder said “the issue is not rehanging the painting. It was removed by the artist,” she said. The subsequent litigation involves “issues of the artist, not ours,” Binder said.