Protests Throughout the Nation
From the 1900's to the present day, protests, both peaceful and violent have become a very popular way for civilians to disagree and speak their mind. Although many may believe that violence is the quickest and most efficient way to prove a point, this is not the case as it is proven that peaceful protests succeed much more than violent rallies. Furthermore, while violent protestors are often arrested at non peaceful rallies, peaceful protestors are often arrested as well for committing no crimes. This aspect makes the ability to protest peacefully almost Implausible, and takes rights under the first amendment away from society. On October 2nd 2012, hundreds of people gathered at a Walmart distribution center to protests the unsafe working conditions provided by the store (Allison Kikenny). This was a completely peaceful protest, with the hopes of eventual better conditions of work. However these protestors who were truly the victims in the situation, were soon met by riot police and treated as the enemy. Many people were subsequently detained by zip ties, held forcefully against the ground and even arrested. In the end, over 17 arrests were made because law enforcement declared this to be an unlawful assembly (Allison Kikenny). There was no threat of violence present but still peaceful citizens were arrested. In addition, On July 25 of 2013, around 60 people gathered around the Capitol in Washington D.C. as they had for months before, to continue their labor demonstrations (Jason Stein). Soon after, these protestors received a law preventing ten from rallying at this area. They then looked to the federal judges to confirm the validity of this law, and after determining most parts of the law unconstitutional, protestors returned to their posts. However, after repeatedly being told to leave or be subject to arrest, Police forces stepped in and arrested over 22 people were. These arrests were made because the part of the law that was constitutional stated that large events require a protest permit. Police declared this protest to be an "Unlawful event" (Jason Stein) and were therefor able to make the arrests. No one was injured during this protest, but still these peaceful civilians were arrested. On a smaller level, in Florida on September 18th 2013, a single man was arrested after peacefully protesting against red light cameras (Robby Soave). This man, Mark Schmidter a libertarian activist stood at the intersection of two streets handing out flyers and holding out signs criticizing cameras. He believed that these cameras were simply a scheme for police forces to make money and nothing more. Soon after a police man arrived on scene and arrested Schmidter for protesting without a permit. Schmidter did not show the potential for violence and was acting under his right of the first amendment. This man was arrested for simply lacking a permit and was forced to spend 11 hours in jail. Each of these instances shows the excess force often used by the police, and how we are often rid of our right to protest peacefully.
From the 1900's to the present day, protests, both peaceful and violent have become a very popular way for civilians to disagree and speak their mind. Although many may believe that violence is the quickest and most efficient way to prove a point, this is not the case as it is proven that peaceful protests succeed much more than violent rallies. Furthermore, while violent protestors are often arrested at non peaceful rallies, peaceful protestors are often arrested as well for committing no crimes. This aspect makes the ability to protest peacefully almost Implausible, and takes rights under the first amendment away from society. On October 2nd 2012, hundreds of people gathered at a Walmart distribution center to protests the unsafe working conditions provided by the store (Allison Kikenny). This was a completely peaceful protest, with the hopes of eventual better conditions of work. However these protestors who were truly the victims in the situation, were soon met by riot police and treated as the enemy. Many people were subsequently detained by zip ties, held forcefully against the ground and even arrested. In the end, over 17 arrests were made because law enforcement declared this to be an unlawful assembly (Allison Kikenny). There was no threat of violence present but still peaceful citizens were arrested. In addition, On July 25 of 2013, around 60 people gathered around the Capitol in Washington D.C. as they had for months before, to continue their labor demonstrations (Jason Stein). Soon after, these protestors received a law preventing ten from rallying at this area. They then looked to the federal judges to confirm the validity of this law, and after determining most parts of the law unconstitutional, protestors returned to their posts. However, after repeatedly being told to leave or be subject to arrest, Police forces stepped in and arrested over 22 people were. These arrests were made because the part of the law that was constitutional stated that large events require a protest permit. Police declared this protest to be an "Unlawful event" (Jason Stein) and were therefor able to make the arrests. No one was injured during this protest, but still these peaceful civilians were arrested. On a smaller level, in Florida on September 18th 2013, a single man was arrested after peacefully protesting against red light cameras (Robby Soave). This man, Mark Schmidter a libertarian activist stood at the intersection of two streets handing out flyers and holding out signs criticizing cameras. He believed that these cameras were simply a scheme for police forces to make money and nothing more. Soon after a police man arrived on scene and arrested Schmidter for protesting without a permit. Schmidter did not show the potential for violence and was acting under his right of the first amendment. This man was arrested for simply lacking a permit and was forced to spend 11 hours in jail. Each of these instances shows the excess force often used by the police, and how we are often rid of our right to protest peacefully.
This video will show the excess force used by police that so often takes place at peaceful protests. This specific video was part of the Occupy Wall Street movement and is a great example of how law enforcement often rids us of our First ammendment rig