Perriello asked to demand tenant rights

By: Daily Progress Staff Reports | Daily Progress
Published: June 17, 2010

U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, has a “right as a tenant” to insist protests be allowed in the private lot outside his Charlottes-ville office, the head of an Albemarle County-based civil rights organization argued Wednesday.
John W. Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute, wrote a letter to the congressman Wednesday asking that Perriello “exercise your right as a tenant to have equal say alongside that of your neighbors and fellow Glass Building tenants when it comes to determining the policies of the Glass Building.”
Perriello had written the institute earlier this week to say that he will respect the wishes of property owner Lisa Murphy, who banned all protests in the parking lot after several demonstrations prompted complaints from other tenants operating small businesses.
According to Murphy’s lawyer, two tenants have left the Glass Building citing noise and disruption from the protests.
Whitehead, in his latest missive, urges Perriello to offer a public showing of support for the protesters’ right to congregate in the private lot, even if Murphy and the other tenants want to keep the ban in place.
“Although your letter of June 15 seems to suggest otherwise, our hope remains that you will continue to place the interests of your constituents above your own personal, professional and/or political interests,” Whitehead wrote.
Perriello has offered to schedule meetings with protesters to hear their concerns and has promised to send a staff member to any protests held elsewhere. Protesters have also been told they are allowed to congregate on the public sidewalk 100 feet away from Perriello’s office.
Protesters such as the Jefferson Area Tea Party, however, say the space in front of Perriello’s office is a “uniquely powerful platform” to voice their grievances.

Perriello asked to demand tenant rights

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