Freedom To peacefully Assemble

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Freedom to peacefully assemble

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        The first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” (4) Freedom to peacefully assemble allows the public to protest in what they believe in. Protests happen all the time throughout our country on all different issues. Should protest not be allowed to take place on public property without a permit? On some occasions protesters need to get a permit to protest, like in front of the State Capital Building. You shouldn’t be force to get a permit if it’s public property because public means everyone can use the area. It is legal to protest only on public spaces and sidewalks without blocking any traffic or pedestrians. (1)  The right to protest is justified because it creates a balanced society of people who want change and people who are not willing to accept change. If individual rights are considered about protesting the common good is balanced.
        In Seattle, 1999 the WTO protest took place. This protest which had over 50,000 people at one time turned into a violent riot. Protests can lead to violence and usually cause disruption. There were many protests against the Vietnam War. Most of them were very peaceful and not violent in any way. One event shocked the nation on May 6, 1970 where the Ohio National Guard open fired on peaceful protesters and killed four students at Kent Sate.

        Our society needs protesters because they are very patriotic just like the soldiers fighting. They are giving up their time to help change their country in a better way, peacefully, not violently. Major protests are happening now about how the war should be stopped and the soldiers should be brought home. A person who takes part of a protest shows their support in this issue. What you protest for is your choice; you have the freedom of speech. Protesting shows our people and our government in what we care about as whole, our country. People who want to make changes and believe in something should protest for what they believe in so people could hear their voices.

        

Argument against Freedom of Assemble:

        Protests can lead to violence and vandalism which causes great damage in the community. Protest should be only permitted in an area were the government tells the protesters is allowed, which would make sure there would be no violence and disturbances. People would be arrested protesting unless a certain area. The common good would be for protests not to be in public spaces, which causes disturbances. In the WTO protest, which lead to a riot was a very violent and angry people who created millions of dollars in damage to the downtown of Seattle in 1999.

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                        (Common good over individual rights)  

        

        In Seattle, November 30th, 1999 the WTO (World Trade Organization) protest started. It started out with 6,000 protesters that early morning. There was also about 2,000 riot police. Around 11:40am the police had cleared two streets using tear gas which affected many of the protesters. By noon there were about 50,000 people, even with their whole families marching against the WTO. Violence then broke our, bottles were starting to be thrown at the police and rubber bullets were then being shot back at the protesters. Vandalism started to rapidly spread with people spray ...

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