A thought on Free Speech and violence

I believe that we have a right to assemble whenever we want, for whatever we want. I believe that we have a right to do this and don't need the permission of authorities in order to do this. That right is a fundamental right for a democratic country and is one of the most effective way we as citizens have to tell our government when we want things changed.

While I believe in this right, I do not believe that right extends to violent actions no matter how justified they may be. I do not condone violence. While I am happy to see people motivated enough to start acting against the abuses of our government, I am saddened that people take a great tradition of protest and ruin it with their own selfish need to act violently. Those who act with violence are an enemy to not only the police, but to our process and quite frankly your immature actions sicken me.

Is our system perfect? No, but name another place in the world where you have the freedom to stand on any street corner and protest any little thing you want to. Are there to many restrictions to this at the moment? I believe there are and I refuse to accept the idea that I need a permit to engage in protests. I do however believe that authorities are well within their rights to make sure any and all demonstrations remain safe for both the public at large and the protesters themselves. When you take an aggressive action against a police officer and that police officer responds with force, this is -not- police brutality. This is you being restrained because you have proven to be a threat to everyone around you.

I have participated in several protests in my life. I do this because I believe that is an important part of the democratic process. However, while I have been in several protests, not once have I acted with violence toward the police. Not once have I done anything more than shield my wife while I was beat with batons and pepper sprayed because of the actions of other morons a the same protest (I even got my picture on the front page of the Washington Post the next day). However, once the crowd had calmed down the police did not continue their actions. Instead they went back to quietly observing our actions and allowing us to participate in our protest even though we didn't have a permit.

I understand many people are angry with the state of our nation right now. I am angry as well. I even understand the impulse to commit violence in the name of justice. However, I restrain myself from doing so because the moment I allow myself the luxury of animal instinct, I become no better than the system I oppose. I do not believe violence is ever the best answer and I never believe it is the only answer. I believe that acting as a responsible citizen and member of the electorate is and always will be the best way to promote positive change.