– The Associated Press

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. – A Marine veteran is urging people to join him for a profanity-laden protest of Middleborough’s recently approved fine on public cursing.

Adam Kokesh plans to hold the protest Monday outside Middleborough Town Hall, the Brockton Enterprise reported Saturday. He has encouraged followers of his Internet podcast to bring bullhorns for the “swear-in.”

Kokesh, 30, publishes podcasts online from a studio in Virginia. The self-described libertarian said the protest is needed to defend freedom of speech. He said he hopes 200 people participate.

Residents in Middleborough voted nearly 4 to 1 this month to approve a proposal from the police chief to impose a $20 fine on public profanity.

Police won’t be able to write tickets for swearing in public until the state attorney general’s office determines whether the new bylaw is constitutional.

Officials say the proposal was intended to crack down on loud, off-color language used by teenagers and other young people in the downtown area and public parks. The rule made national news and prompted a flurry of phone calls to town hall.


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