Federal Judge Limits PETA Video Display at Kansas State Fair

U.S. District Court Judge J. Thomas Marten refused September 4, 2012, to prohibit limits on an animal-rights video display at the Kansas State Fair.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had planned to display a video showing animals being slaughtered and instances of abuse. The fair board, represented by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, said that PETA could only show the video within its booth and out of public view, so that people would have to make a deliberate decision to see it.

PETA, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), asked the judge to overrule the fair board, saying that its First Amendment right of free speech was being violated. The judge ruled that the fair, where exhibitors must apply for a booth and pay a fee, is a "limited public forum." It was not immediately clear whether PETA would appeal.

• "Kansas State Fair May Limit Showing of Animal Rights Video — Judge," Reuters, September 5, 2012, by Kevin Murphy.
• "Federal Court Sides With Kansas State Fair in PETA Lawsuit," Associated Press, September 4, 2012.