Augusta sheriff won't rule out Magnolia Lane for Burk protest

AUGUSTA - Sheriff Ronald Strength said Friday he hasn&#39;t ruled out allowing protests at the front of Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters, though he still doesn&#39;t like the idea. <br> <br> Martha Burk, chair of the National Council of Women&#39;s Organizations, is seeking a permit to post 24 protesters on either side of the gate to Magnolia Lane during the Masters third round April 12. <br> <br> Burk, who plans to demonstrate against Augusta National&#39;s all-male membership, also wants permission for 200 additional protesters to stand along Washington Road across the street from the club. <br> <br> Strength, who has authority over protests of more than five people, reiterated today that allowing demonstrations on Washington Road, the main thoroughfare for Masters vistors, could pose a safety hazard. <br> <br> Strength told The Associated Press, ``It&#39;s very dangerous with the thousands and thousands of people we have on one sidewalk. But we have not slammed the door on anything.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Strength said his deputies will take a second look at the club gate area early next week before replying to Burk. <br> <br> He said, ``We&#39;re going to be open-minded and make the best decisions based on public safety.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The sheriff said he&#39;s also reviewing every protest request with Jim Wall, the attorney for Augusta-Richmond County. They met today to discuss Burk&#39;s request and nine others, but made no final decisions. <br> <br> Burk, who is working with the Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, sent the sheriff a letter along with her permit request saying she would file suit if they could not agree on a protest site.