(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights has rescheduled a hearing on "Obscenity Prosecution and the Constitution" for next Wednesday, March 16, at 3:00 p.m. In Washington, D.C. Republican Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas will preside. An earlier hearing scheduled a month ago on this subject was canceled at the last minute.

After learning of next week's hearing through lobbying contacts in the First Amendment community, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) requested an opportunity to provide witnesses for the Subcommittee who might be less hostile to the adult industry. Even though the adult entertainment industry is the clear target of the upcoming hearing, FSC requests were denied by Subcommittee officials. Written testimony will be allowed, however, and FSC's staff and attorneys are preparing a submission.

"After legislators reflect on our written testimony," said Michelle Freridge, Executive Director of FSC, "we are hopeful that they will see fit to allow us the chance to bring constitutional experts to future hearings who are knowledgeable about, and unprejudiced toward, the adult industry."

Freridge said the trade group would continue to provide testimony before committee hearings so that lawmakers could fully evaluate all sides of the issues.

Free Speech Coalition is the trade organization of the adult entertainment industry. Its mission is to safeguard the industry from oppressive governmental regulation and to promote good business practices within the industry.

Contact:
Michelle L. Freridge
(818) 348-9373

Free Speech Coalition
P.O. Box 10480
Canoga Park, CA 91309
818-348-9373