On Protests

The right to protest is enshrined in our constitution.

Amendment I (1791)

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.

And we have availed ourselves of that right on many occasions. In most instances in our history the object of the demonstration or protest has been a domestic issue, – – – slavery, suffrage, alleged police brutality, corporation – union disagreements, etc. However today, we are seeing demonstrations that concern events beyond our borders. 

Regrettably, it is too easy for protest movements to be hijacked by radical elements, to turn the event into a lawless mob scene, derailing the legitimate cause of the organizing leadership.  Perhaps as an example, a few years ago the Me Too movement protests evolved to a looting and burning frenzy, unlikely the intention of the organizers.

The case in point today is the widespread outrage we are witnessing on college campuses, outrage at the heavy loss of civilian lives and widespread destruction   in the Israeli invasion of Gaza. I do not believe these protests are endorsements of Hamas, nor are they directed at the Jewish people. None of my many Jewish friends endorse the ultra right wing Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories. Unfortunately, for many these protests today have taken on the persona of anti-semitism, or support for the terror policies of Hamas. There are radicals among us aways on the lookout for an opportunity to infiltrate an uprising and tilt it towards their own prejudiced objectives. The onus is on the protest organizers to proclaim loudly and unequivocally their objectives, to offer their remedies, to guard against would-be infiltrators and to ensure the protest is peaceful and respectful of the rights and property of others. A big but crucial task. Regretfully, too many demonstration organizers have been unable to achieve these goals.

– – – – Just the view of a common man