The Society of Professional Journalists, together with the Student Government Association, the Academic Honor Council and the Corolla, is sponsoring a First Amendment Free Food Festival Wednesday on the Quad directly across from Reese Phifer Hall, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The first 500 students to enter the “Glorious Kingdom of Roll Tidelberg” will receive a lunch of barbecue sandwiches, chips and a drink. The only requirement is that the students sign away all of their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, press, assembly, speech and petition.

“First Amendment rights are so crucial and important to journalists,” said Amanda Sams, vice president of the Society of Professional Journalists. “We wanted to demonstrate how important people’s First Amendment rights are.”

Sams thought the best way to do so would be to show people what their lives would be like without these basic rights, rather than just telling them how crucial they are.

“Instead of just having another lecture or speech, we thought a demonstration would be much more powerful,” she said.

Talking will be prohibited inside the kingdom,. Students will not be allowed to pray, read religious texts or wear religious jewelry or clothing. They will not be permitted to assemble with their friends or read free press publications, such as The Crimson White or The Tuscaloosa News.

They will not be allowed to air their grievances to the government. SGA officials will take turns acting as dictator of the kingdom and either a goon squad comprised of fraternity members wielding fake swords or members of the medieval society will enforce the rules throwing students out or putting them in jail.

The First Amendment Free Food Festival is a nationwide event that has been held on more than 20 campuses, but this is the first time it has been held at the University.

SGA President Stephen Swinson also feels the event is important for showing students how critical the rights offered by the First Amendment are.

“The SGA is proud to support this event,” he said. “Our freedom of speech is one of our most important rights; without it, democracy would not exist. It is important to take some time out of our day every now and then to think about just how lucky we are as Americans to live in a country founded on principles like freedom of speech.”

Sams hopes that students will come out and take not only the free food, but also the free lesson.

“It made me realize what I had taken for granted and how much I use my First Amendment rights every day,” she said. “I hope that it will make other students more aware of how they are important.”

[IF YOU GO]

What: SPJ Free Food Festival

When: Wednesday, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Where: On the Quad across from Reese Phifer Hall