Does the First Amendment Give the Right to Oppose Free Speech and Disrupt Society?
To protest those things that are disturbing is a right guaranteed to US citizens. The First Amendment allows for the right to peaceful assembly. Citizens can get together, hold signs, congregate in large groups in order to state their position on certain subjects.
The Civil Rights Movement showed the power of many different people of many backgrounds who were willing to gather in protest in order to make social change.
This week a man who risked much to chronicle the Civil Rights Movement passed away. Noted Civil Rights photographer Bob Adelman was found in his home with a wound to his head.
The cause of death is yet unknown. He was 85 years old.
In a time when it was not popular to champion African Americans who were fighting for their civil rights, Mr. Adelman set out to make a difference.
He snapped the iconic print of Martin Luther King with his hand stretched to heaven as he finished his I Have a Dream speech that became the symbol for the March on Washington.
He knew the risks. He was remembered to have asked himself, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” Answering, he acknowledged that his actions could cost him his life. Then again, he had asked himself, “Is it worth it?” His response was “Yes, it was.”
Many made sacrifices that resulted in today’s open society where all people are allowed to express themselves equally.
That being said, it is one’s right to express one’s opinion, but not one’s right to push their beliefs and opinions on others, especially in a violent fashion. It is not for protesters to block roads, beat people who disagree with them, or cause riots to get their point across. The First Amendment does not give license to mayhem.
There are those whose best hope is to disrupt society. They spend countless quantities of money to accomplish this aim.
George Soros is one of those who made millions off the Capitalistic system in the United States but is now willing to destroy all that is the USA.
Soros backed MoveOn.org which is said to have caused such a violent riot in Chicago that it forced Trump to cancel a campaign event.
The group promises more of the same to come, quoting, “Welcome to the general election.”
These followers of MoveOn.org have NO right to stop any peaceful assembly of citizens who paid for a seat in Trump’s rally.
These followers have NO right to impede on Donald Trump’s right to hold a meeting.
These followers will have to be arrested if they try to be an obstacle in the voting process.
Protest has come a long way down the wrong road from the Civil Rights Movement.
The people who sacrificed to bring social change didn’t do so in order for some group to bully and intimidate another.
Inequality was what they were standing against. I think many would be appalled at the actions and agendas of today’s so called “protesters.”
Image: photo credit: George Soros – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2010 via photopin (license)