ACSOL Cancels its 2025 Conference
Folks, the threat is real. For decades lawmakers have argued that being publicly listed on a sex offender registry is not punishment. The Florida registration statute even says “[r]eleasing information concerning sexual offenders… and the release of such information to the public by a law enforcement agency or public agency, will further the governmental interests of public safety. The designation of a person as a sexual offender is not a sentence or a punishment but is simply the status of the offender which is the result of a conviction for having committed certain crimes.” (F.S. Sec. 943.0435(12))
Yet for decades and lack of any evidence that the sex offender registry has made the public any safer and in the face of decades of evidence that the public sex offender registry and “designation of a person as a sexual offender” has lead to the threats, intimidation, scamming, and even murder of persons forced to register and their families, we know there is absolutely a risk to public safety created by the registry.
After NARSOL’s conference was abruptly cancelled in June, a second advocacy organization, The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL), announced days ago that it was cancelling its annual conference. In a statement posted on its site, ACSOL announced that in order to protect registrants, their families and those who support them, they decided to cancel their conference that was scheduled to be held on September 26 and September 27.
This erosion of public safety is only one part of the broader harm caused by the registry. Another critical, yet often overlooked, consequence is the chilling effect it has on the First Amendment right to peaceably assemble. The Constitution guarantees every person the right to gather, associate, and express their views—especially on matters of public concern. But when individuals are forced to wear a virtual bullseye through public registry listings, that right becomes dangerously compromised.
Advocacy conferences like those organized by NARSOL and ACSOL are not just social gatherings; they are essential platforms for education, organizing, and civil rights discourse. The mere fact that these events are being canceled out of fear for the safety of attendees shows how the registry system obstructs not only freedom of movement, but freedom of expression and association.
If a religious group, political party, or civil rights movement, could not hold a meeting without putting their safety at risk, and without being able to rely on the protections of law enforcement, the nation would be outraged. We are outraged!
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I’m sorry to hear this. I think it’s a weak position, I really do. People are being mean and so we shut it all down and run back into hiding? Rise up, men! God bless all the women and mothers who sacrifice much for us, many of whom are leading us with great skill and intelligence but by the end of the day, this is OUR fight! We must be dauntless, not fearful in this work. We can’t win a war if we don’t show up.
I’m going to say again and again(I’m sure Fac wont post this comment; but I’ll take a shot….Society is apathetic towards offendes, predators, so no 😮 surprises there.
Amen
@Mrs
You are not saying anything we don’t already know. However, surprisingly, some of us have a few neighbors who do not care we are on the registry and are nice to us. Not everyone is hateful, nasty and mean to us.
I laugh because there is a lady on my street and I ruin her day, every single time she drives by my house, and I am outside. Not because I have done anything to her, but she makes it a point to drive by and scrunch up her face in disgust like I had just killed everyone on the street or something. I get a chuckle each time that I have so much power to ruin someone’s day just by existing.
God blessed me with my home, and I am not leaving it unless He alone tells me otherwise to do so, not a neighbor, or anyone else.
We do not bother anyone (Most of us) so keep on being apathetic, it is your right to do so, as long as you do not physically harm us, I do not care what someone says about me. Prison made me stronger, not weaker. If we can survive that, we can do just about anything we put out mind to do. (Inside of what the law allows for, of course)
If society was truly apathetic, then most of these vengeful and spiteful registry laws and restrictions wouldn’t exist. Apathy is a lack of concern.
Let’s face the facts, with the recent fallout from the Epstein “client list” there is a spotlight on the target that has been placed on registrants. The masses wanted rich and powerful people to go after and didn’t get their wish. Now they are doubling down on everyone on the list.
The memes, the social media posts, and the comments have gotten ten times worse than they were. They dangled this bait in front of people for the past 8 years with people waiting to see how many of our government would be named. This baiting was done deliberately and with the purpose of inciting the people and then giving them a common enemy to focus their rage on. People are becoming so focused on their hate that they are not looking at the facts anymore.
Don’t let your guard down, the storm is coming and mob “justice” will start to become commonplace and even normalized.
Quit wasting money on fancy conventions and opulence when the money could do more good with the lawsuits to get rid of the registry. All the conventions do is bring the spotlight down upon us.
I partially agree with everything except the “fancy conventions and opulence”.
Those “fancy conventions” allow a lot of disjointed, fractured groups to come together and more effectively share what’s been going on. It’s a place where the most dedicated volunteers can get together in what used to be a very safe environment where everyone could speak freely and openly about this registry that haunts us. It also promotes networking and allows our most dedicated volunteers make solid connections which amplify our ability to organization and help each other. I can tell you haven’t been to one simply by your response, and since you haven’t been to one you shouldn’t be so quick to judge and dismiss.
Regarding the “opulence”, no idea what you’re referring to. Who or what in this movement are you talking about?
Please be careful with your thoughts and words.