By The leftist protesters in the US sound just as pathetic as their South Korean counterparts with their claims that Denver authorities are violating their freedom of speech rights:
Another concern for rights activists: A new Denver ordinance that outlaws possession of some everyday items such as padlocks and chains if police believe they will be used for unlawful purposes, such as blocking roads. The ordinance also bans “noxious substances.” Some city council members claimed protesters plan to toss bags of feces or urine at police. Activists dismiss those concerns as a vicious rumor and a bid to squelch their First Amendment rights.
“Changing the law to transform innocent behavior into a crime where it poses no threat to public safety is entirely uncalled for and inconsistent with principles of the First Amendment,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU. “It has a chilling effect on free speech and that has been found time and time again to be improper under First Amendment principles.” [AP - Solomon Banda]
If you don’t plan on throwing urine and crap at the police then why are you complaining about the city ordinance? Likewise if you don’t plan to use chains and locks why are you complaining about that ordinance as well?
I think Kalani is right these American protesters are pansies.
9:23 am on August 26th, 2008 1
There is nothing more democratic, dare I say American, than dissent. Throwing poop – no. Using chains as weapons – no. Using chains to tie themselves to trees or to each other – fine by me.
Chains/padlocks even riot shields, by themselves, are not weapons, it’s how they’re used. According to the snippet, it’ll be a judgment call by the police. I imagine that some police officer with a chip on his shoulder will try to take away picket signs because he thinks it will be used as a weapon. That ordinance is too broad. There are existing laws that take care of battery, and battery of police. AND, unlike our host nation, we actually enforce them.
Also, the source of all this contention, I believe, lies in certain federal mandates, such as various Secret Service protocols that disallow protesters from practicing the First Amendment where it matters. They say: You can protest, but only in this designated area, 100yds away. The principle is to protest, to picket, in the convention center where their message will be the most effective. Even if they buy a ticket, and everything is legit, and they carry a picket sign that is obviously against that party’s agenda, they will not be allowed in. Hell, the police did it to Ron Paul during a Republican state convention.
Doesn’t anyone remember that story about the woman during the 2004 or 2005 State of the Union address? She was quiet and respectful, and wore a shirt that amounted to being anti-war because her son died in Iraq. The secret service escorted her out and she was detained by DC police for several hours and then released without explanation.
Protesting using poop or other means to hurt the police is not copacetic. However, these laws that were written to block protesters should not have been written in the first place. Those protocols go beyond safety and obviously serve a political purpose. It shows a shockingly high level of intolerance to ideas – THAT is un-American.
CPT Kim, I know how you feel. I usually say what you said, about Korean protesters and the last 2 presidents, but come on. What ever happened to “I may disagree with what you said, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it?”
12:59 am on August 26th, 2008 2
Let's gather all these anti-everything protesters and send them to Pyongyang so KJI can use them as his propaganda tool.
5:16 am on August 26th, 2008 3
I think it's pretty rotten that these goons might use poop (although it sounds like a rumor and a little funny), but I agree with Sesame Seed. These laws should not have been written in the first place, but since they were I think that Arrested Development mocked the "Free Speech Zone" cages the best.
I tried to find a video to go along with it, but no luck.
5:05 pm on August 26th, 2008 4
Looks like police in Denver have more important things to be taking care of anyway.
http://cbs4denver.com/investigates/assisination.p…
10:21 am on August 29th, 2008 5
Hey folks!!!! Check this out.
Nothing like old hippies turning out to protest. Damn why did I throw away my elephant bells (bell bottom pants)? Some really funny pics of the protests at the DNC. I loved one pic where the banner is painted on a presumably stolen Coors beer banner. Right on!!! Power to the people!!!
Not the 50,000 turn out expected — more like a 1,000.
http://www.lookingattheleft.com/
11:19 am on August 29th, 2008 6
#5: Thank god they don't have mad-kimchi disease to drive the whole nation bonkers!