The Port of Coupeville was unfair to a group called Coupeville Peace and Reconciliation when the port decided the peace group’s flyers were unfit for display in the port-owned kiosk near the town wharf.

The port is run by three elected commissioners, but the proposal to pull the flyers was made by their elected director, Jim Patton, who felt placing the pro-peace flyers on port property would give people the idea that the port is taking a political position. Commissioners Ed Van Patten and Benye Weber agreed, and the decision was made. Commissioner Bruce Bryson was absent.

It was not right to make this decision without notifying the Peace and Reconciliation group. Lately, they’ve been advertising a series of films based on peace themes, and they’ve invited a well-known Muslim speaker to address peace issues from the Muslim perspective. One of the best ways to advertise such things in Coupeville is at the port kiosk, located in the busiest spot on Front Street. Peace and Reconciliation should have been given the chance to comment before the port made its decision.

In the broader view, the port commissioners need to spend some time thinking about free speech and why they would want to be accused of trying to squash it. Member of Peace and Recreation are good citizens, always polite and thoughtful, and their opinions deserve respect. Their community events should have a place on the kiosk, just like anyone else’s. If the port decides to determine which political themes are appropriate, it’s asking for trouble.

A town’s kiosk should be like the family refrigerator – a place to stick stuff that everyone else is sure to see, with no restrictions as long as it’s not obscene. Otherwise, we might as well be living in China.