Gianforte administration reverses permit guidelines, allows weekend events at the state Capitol
The Montana Department of Administration reversed weekend rally permit restrictions after public and legislative concerns about First Amendment rights and state resource limits.
- The Montana Department of Administration reversed guidelines prohibiting weekend permit rallies at the Montana State Capitol, reversing course as the "No Kings" rally draws near on Saturday.
- State officials originally implemented the ban last month to save money, citing that only five staff members work events; DOA Director Misty Ann Giles later said they had "missed the mark."
- Indivisible Helena organizer Barbara Barnes said they plan to stage the "No Kings" rally at the Capitol flag plaza on Saturday and are currently submitting necessary paperwork to the agency.
- Democratic lawmakers and the public criticized the restrictions, citing potential First Amendment concerns, and Rep. Luke Muszkiewicz, D-Helena, welcomed the agency's willingness to reconsider the policy.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Gianforte administration reverses permit guidelines, allows weekend events at the state Capitol
The Montana Department of Administration has reversed its guidelines that prohibited permits for weekend rallies at the state Capitol.
Weekend ban on Capitol protests closes the door on working Montanans
There's something sacred about the Montana Capitol grounds. Every morning during the last legislative session, I enjoyed the walk from my car to the Capitol doors. I admired the whipping Montana and tribal flags, tipped my hat to Thomas Meagher,…
State appears to reverse course on Capitol permit rules
Protestors gather for the "Hands Off" rally on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Montana State Capitol. (Jordan Hansen/Daily Montanan)A “No Kings” rally appears to be a go at the Capitol flag plaza on Saturday, an organizer said. The Montana Department of Administration said it is reversing course on its weekend permit rules at the Capitol as another “No Kings” rally draws near. In February, the state changed its rules for permitted events at the …
Gianforte administration reverses guidelines for permits, again allowing for weekend events at the state Capitol
The Montana Department of Administration has again reversed its guidelines that prohibited permits for weekend rallies on state grounds. Following public pushback, the department last Friday revised its guidelines that previously restricted event organizers from setting up equipment and using state resources for weekend gatherings, according to the General Services Division website. The change comes after DOA director Misty Ann Giles told a leg…
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