STAUNTON, Va. – City officials and anti-porn protestors gathered at the Staunton City Hall on Wednesday for a Stop Porn Forum organized by the Staunton Republican Committee. The meeting was convened in response to concern over an adult store that will soon open its doors in the Virginia city.
According to a recent report, attorney Ray Robertson — who spoke at the meeting along with a local councilman and a Family Foundations chairman — vowed to aggressively seek prosecution of the prospective adult video store.
The store has obtained a business license and signed permit.
Robertson told The New Virginian that he would prosecute the business “each and every time they sell or rent an adult video. If they are planning to open, open at your peril.”
Robertson told the crowd that he plans on targeting the business as a “public nuisance.” He also said he is in discussions with the local Planning Commission about tightening the city’s adult business ordinance.
“I’m not looking to impose my morality on anyone else. But this is a bad thing,” City Councilman Dickie Bell told The New Virginian.
The crowd also discussed starting a citizens task force, and signed a petition opposing any adult businesses in the city, which will be brought to the Staunton City Council.
Adult-oriented businesses are protected by the Constitution and completely outlawing them is a violation of the First Amendment.
