Free speech zone @ L.A.'s Comedy Union

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on December 9th, 2006

A sharp-eyed reader has notified us that Associated Press is shooting out an article about Enss Mitchell’s declaration that his Comedy Union will welcome comics who use the dreaded N-word… and all other words as well.

“Someone had to stand up for comics and freedom of speech has to rule the day,” said Enss Mitchell, owner of Comedy Union. “No matter if you agree or disagree with what someone says, you have to allow them the opportunity to say it.”

Apparently, Mitchell declared the Union’s Friday show as a show where anyone could say anything. The show was, according to reports, well-received and no complaints were registered. At least not by audience members…

“It is amazing to me when we see acts of racism, when we see acts of injustice, when we see acts of war, clubs don’t take an hour to fight that, but they want to have a fight for the right to call us” the n-word, (Rev. Al) Sharpton said. “There’s something sick about that.”

Nice to know that Al’s on the side of free speech.