You have the right to assemble / protest, but not to break the law !: 4 considerations

The Constitution of the United States gives each of us the Right to Assemble and protest our government, to demand that they make key changes, to address areas of potential inequities, etc. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the concept / idea of ​​peaceful protest was emphasized by the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who inspired and motivated others to march and protest, peacefully, to Demand your civil rights! In the late 1960s and early 1970s, many marched, sitting in, and protested, to demand an end to what they considered a foolish, unnecessary and dangerous war in Vietnam. Who does not remember the Women’s March to protest the election of Donald Trump in early 2017? On the other hand, more recently, we have experienced less peaceful events against law enforcement, excesses, especially against people of color and, of course, the events of January 6, 2021, where we saw what appeared. To be a mafia, determined to disrupt the peaceful transition of our government! Instead of looking at them, through the lens, of party politics, wouldn’t we be better off if we encourage the peaceful assembly, while opposing, any kind of violence and / or criminality? With this in mind, this article will briefly attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss 4 considerations.

1. Peaceful protests: The right of assembly is, and must remain, a protected right / freedom. We must hold our government and public / elected officials accountable for their actions (or lack of procedure, where indicated)! As long as they are peaceful, legal, and do not interrupt other rights, we must encourage and protect these actions, etc.!

2. Largely peaceful, with some “bad apples”: Whether we support or oppose a particular protest / movement, they must, be allowed! Unfortunately, we have observed some “bad apples”, where certain individuals, refuse to protest, peacefully or, indeed, outside agitators and / or rioters, either riot, loot, commit fires and / or other illegal actions and, to sometimes dangerous. While these individuals are criminals and should be treated / handled as such, we must not allow the behavior of a small minority to diminish the peaceful efforts of others.

3. Protests / assemblies / marches, when the purpose is an illegal disruption (or worse): The right to assemble does not give anyone permission to perform illegal actions! When the purpose (or apparent purpose), is illegal, violent or seeks an insurrection, as what we witnessed, on January 6, 2021, and the protesters are armed and / or illegally enter and / or destroy property (as what occurred on that day), this should never be confused, with any protected right / freedom!

Four. False narrative, matching, different types of protests: In recent years, we have witnessed people who seem to feel that they are entitled, not just to their own opinion, but to their own set of facts (alternative facts). When, some, tried to equate the largely peaceful, assembled protests, known as Black Lives Matters, which protested, apparent, systemic racism, on behalf of the police, etc., with the events of January 6, which appeared to emphasize, the Capitol uprising, this is a dangerous, false, misleading narrative!

Our Constitution must guarantee our rights and freedoms, but we must obey the laws and the rights of others! Without the rule of law and respecting others, America’s future looks bleak!