After failing to prevent the opening of a Capital Video outlet in the town of Northampton, Mass., anti-adult group NoPornNorthampton is now campaigning against Amazing.net, another Capital-owned store in nearby Springfield.
Last year, the anti-porn group organized meetings, lobbied for zoning ordinances and circulated a petition in a widely-publicized effort to block Capital's plans for the Northampton outlet. The store opened in early 2007, after months of opposition and public hearings.
The state's Division of Public Charities ordered NoPornNorthampton to stop soliciting donations because political groups are not allowed to solicit funds for political measures in a specific election, a decision later reversed by the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Adam R. Cohen, who spearheads NoPornNorthampton with his wife Jendi Reiter, recently told the Republican that the group has now paid $2,013 to send 1,700 mailings to residents who live near the Amazing.net store in the Apremont Triangle area.
"Everybody has a right to their own beliefs and what they want to say," Larry Nobile, manager of the Springfield store, told The Republican. Nobile noted that he was unaware of the Northampton group's mailings about Amazing.net.
Cohen told The Republican that the group will be pressing city officials to enact stricter zoning and health regulations, such as prohibiting doors on video booths.
Springfield Police Commissioner Edward A. Flynn told The Republican that a general hearing is scheduled for June 18 on Amazing.net's entertainment license, which is valid through December.
