Since the 2004 presidential campaign, when the Bush team prevented anyone who seemed unsympathetic to their candidate from attending his ostensibly public appearances, it has become commonplace for security forces to classify ordinary expressions of dissent as security threats and to try to keep officeholders as far removed from possible protest as they can. Thus, notes Ronald Krotoszynski, without formally limiting free speech the government places arbitrary restrictions on how, when, and where such speech may occur. Krotoszynski's goal in this provocative new book is to revive the people's right to petition the government for a redress of grievances as a key part of First Amendment jurisprudence.

Ronald J. Krotoszynski, Jr., is John S. Stone Chair and Professor of Law at University of Alabama Law School in Tuscaloosa.