AUBURN, Alabama -- The Auburn police department will have a bird's eye view of Toomer's Corner this weekend after bringing in a portable observation tower to watch over the Auburn University landmark.
The tower is located across the street from the historic oak trees, which were allegedly poisoned by Alabama fan Harvey Updyke after Auburn beat Alabama last season.
IBCR again has the exclusive coverage.
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The Alabama fans, led by the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the dreaded Red Elephant Club, anticipated the reaction beforehand and have taken legal steps to prevent any intervention in their planned, peaceful demonstration. They have obtained a permit application for use of the public space and intend to assert their rights under the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
"We absolutely intend to exercise our rights as citizens of the United States," said lead organizer Cal Gregory. "The intersection of College and University is public space. We have a right under the US Constitution to peaceably assemble and we have the right of free expression. We don't feel that public officials--be they University or local law enforcement--have the right or the authority to prevent our demonstration. We are not violent and we don't intend to start any trouble. We just want to express our joy and satisfaction after the game, should our team be victorious."
"Mr. Gregory is correct," said a Birmingham civil rights lawyer who has been retained by the Red Elephants in the event city or university officials attempt to deny the permit. "Their actions may come off as obnoxious to some and are likely to offend some people. But these people still absolutely have the right to peaceably assemble and celebrate."
IBCR has obtained a copy of the permit application and has the exclusive:
Saturday night in Auburn should be interesting.
