It is a troubling sign for liberty when police attempt to break up a peaceful demonstration in a public place because it might be bothersome and the activists don’t have a permit.
From Ben Swann:
On Saturday a group of activists assembled at the busiest intersection in Spartanburg, S.C. to wave signs and bring awareness to the ongoing push to strike Syria by the Obama A local police officer told them that if someone complained they would have to leave because they did not have a city permit. He also said that activists who continue to protest on the crosswalk would go to jail.
Evan Mulch, the one who organized the protest told the officer, “what you are conditioning us to do is to ask you for approval to be in a public place – we don’t need your approval.”
Video below shows the police officer’s attempt to break up the demonstration.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Every Supreme Court interpretation of our Constitution over the generations has held that our rights of free speech and assembly are subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions. It is incumbent upon rational, thinking protesters and activists to obey local ordinances and not be the scofflaw radicals they are protesting. How can we object to our government ignoring the rule of law if we defiantly ignore it to demonstrate their misdeeds? Do you think it is wise to demonstrate lawlessness by being lawless? That is neither logical nor civil.
Rick, lawyers and those who run in politics are a major part of what is wrong with the loss of freedoms our forefathers gave us, but thanks for your input…….
we are becoming a police state we have the right to gather unless there is a sign that says no loitering
Stay out of the cross-walk, unless you’re walking with the light. Don’t block traffic. Carrying a sign is indeed a 1st Amendment right, but you don’t want to muddle your message with unnecessary interference with the public.
It would have been better if I could hear it. All my sound equipment was working and on but nada.
love it
the americans who know and understnd their rights need to continue to speak up and educate the police and the population. Freedom of conscience. speech and religion. The public square is the proper forum for public speech on public issues.
While they have the right to free speech they do not have the right to impede traffic . I believe in their message but they are going about it the wrong way . Asking a police officer why he showed wearing a gun . Did he think he was in Mayberry ?
They didn’t question anyone when the occupy groups were on the overpasses!
We do not live in a police state … we have rights protected by The Constitution.