Does anyone else see this as chilling our right to witness our gov't in action?
Not really. I doubt they'd turn away anyone carrying a valid government (state or federal) ID. Furthermore, it's not a participatory forum anyway. I'd be alarmed if they recorded people's attendance.
Does anyone else see the irony in a court building breaking the law?
What law are they breaking, MKEgal?
What possible good will it do for me to present a card with a picture of me, & a name? How will that keep the building safer?
Valid ID's aren't as easy to come by or make as one might think. Then again, they're not that difficult to make, either.
The primary benefit is that it puts those who may cause mayhem on notice that they're watching the entrances fairly closely.
How will that keep the building safer?
I presume they already have armed guards & metal detectors.
Which are great for stopping an overt frontal attack and detecting metal.
Once more, with feeling: we can't be forced to identify ourselves to gov't agents.
Really? RAS/PC gives them the right. Given the elevated threat, anyone refusing to ID themselves raises enough suspicion... Right?
Right?
(pin drops)
Well, at least that's the approach they're using. Earlier someone on another thread posted a laundry list of federal court level findings which indicate that you're correct, MKEgal, they can't force us to identify ourselves.
They may, however, prevent access to certain buildings and properties, the same way everyone entering a military installation, whether military or civilian, must also show ID.