My Occupy LA Arrest, by Family Guy writer Patrick Meighan

[Danzig]

the police aren't infringing on the constitution! lol how ridiculous!

people have the right to free speech and free assembly. they do not however have the right to squat on private land, block traffic, impede others, trespass, build structures, litter, damage property, etc, etc.

go back and look at everytime the police were called in to remove protesters. it had nothing to do with right to speech or assembly. had everything to do with ignoring no 24 hour stay laws, camping rules, etc, etc


i doubt their rights would worry some on here quite so much if they didn't agree with the protest in question! i don't recall certain posters always backing protesters (whereas some of us do-i defend the aclu on a regular basis as well, gets me grief) regardless of their stance. i guess some protesters are more equal than others?
much like your right to speech doesn't include yelling fire in a crowded theatre when there isn't one, one hasn't got the right to congregate wherever they please, for however long they choose, for whatever reason however noble they may feel it is.

protesters are given ample opportunity to remove themselves before being removed by force. it's a fact that some of them actively seek arrest so that they can help portray cops as attacking innocent protesters and get headlines, and get people bewailing their fate. many others get their point across just as well but move when told to. an arrest isn't a violation of their rights. a trial without a jury is, or a long incarceration without formal charges brought.