Dear George,

Let me begin this letter by stating unequivocably that I have been emboldened to continue exercising my expression of free speech publicly in words and songs, in my roles as truth-expresser and troubadour, by the letters people have sent to the "Letters to the Editor" of the "George Loper Website."

From your website people learned about the May 29, 2004 Memorial weekend incident that involved me being asked by the director of City Market to cease my free speech expression or leave the City Market premise, and how after I refused to do so his calling the police to enforce the curtailment of my free speech expression.

Among letters to you were one from John Chapman who in 300-plus words expressed disbelief that this would happen to me who he said he had experienced as being "a kind and caring person." Jeanette Rosenberg and Julia Perry who were at the City Market, the former with her daughter, write that they were witnesses of this memorial weekend incident,including my encounter with the police. She said that they enjoyed my singing.

There was also a letter from Maurice Jones, Spokesperson for the City of Charlottesville, who, even while, in my opinion, defending the actions taken by the City Market director and the police was careful not to say that I did not have a right to free speech expression at City Market. As a matter of fact he said, "The City employees involved with this incident are very aware of the right to peaceable and orderly expression on the part of Mr. Fields."

I received a telephone call from the Parks and Recreation Director Michael Svetz. He wanted to hear from me what had happened. During that conversation he told me that he was committed to protecting the right of the free expression of speech for citizens at the City Market. He also wanted to know about my experience with the police. I told him that the policemen were respectful and courteous. I also told him that the incident had been unnecessary, a view expressed by people writing to you regarding this matter and James Mohammed, a longtime vender on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall, who witnessed the incident and became involved during my encounter with the police as an interested and respectful citizen.

In addition, I have been contacted by people, including a newspaper editor, who learned about this incident from the George Loper Website. Your website is a significant news source in Charlottesville and beyond that informs, provides opportuity for media-reader interaction and contributes appreciably to both the practice and building of community. George, keep up the good work.

Let me close as I began: I have been emboldened by the outporing of people's commitment to safegarding free speech as indicated by the responses they made to this incident.

In mutuality,

Uriah J. Fields (U.J.) (electronic mail, June 16, 2004)