Time to face facts about protesting in America

Our left-wing press loves to go on ad nauseum about “the facts.”  Basically, they say that they deal in facts even though they offer virtually nothing more than opinion –often claiming those opinions are themselves facts.

The left-wing media was in constant praise of the “peaceful protests” following the death of George Floyd.  They even downplayed the rampage of arson, looting, vandalism and murders as an unfortunate – but understandable – anomaly.  There were numerous reports of how police were excessive and abusive of people merely expressing their constitutional rights to assemble and speak freely.

As a society, we have bent over backwards to allow protests whether that are constitutional, legal or not.  In FACT, however, the vast majority of the demonstrators were lawbreakers – with a large percentage committing multiple felonies.  That is a fact.

Allow me to explain.

We should all be able to agree that arson is a profoundly serious felony – as is looting.  In fact, in days gone by arsonists and looters could be – and would be – shot on the scene.  It is arguable that it is still a crime in which a fatal response is permissible.  Remember, a law officer can use a fatal response if the perpetrator represents an imminent threat to the life or well-being of the officer or the general public.  Arson – and Molotov Cocktails – represent an assault with a potentially deadly weapon.

It is only a modern wave of cultural leniency that has had police standing down in the face of these terrible crimes.  There are no mass arrests – and those who are arrested are usually released without charges unless it is a capital crime such as murder.  The sad fact is that the thousands who burn, loot and cause physical injury during these demonstrations are never brought to justice – or even attempted to be prosecuted.

Tolerating the arson, looting and physical violence against innocent people has wreaked a terrible physical, financial and emotional impact on the tens of thousands of victims of these crimes.  It seems that the cover of a “cause” that attracts a large number of individuals gives license to serious illegal behavior.

Damaging, destroying or defacing public or private property is a serious crime.  If it is done in the name of a cause, it is considered nothing more than peaceful demonstrating.  Yet, every window broken … every statue toppled … every surface spray painted is the action of a criminal.

The right to protest does not confer a concomitant right to block public highways or interfere with the operation of a business.  Peaceful demonstrations are to be held in public spaces accommodating of the crowd.   Peaceful protesters generally seek permits to gather in a designated area.

It is legal to march on sidewalks and to rally around government buildings – but not legal to block access of passage.  That is why you see picketers walking in circles – and allowing access and egress to the private business property.

When a mob situation becomes potentially dangerous, it is within the power of the authorities to declare a curfew.  Once a curfew has been ordered – for all but essential individuals — those violating the curfew are committing a crime.  In fact, they are aiding and abetting any arsonists, looters, vandals or other perpetrators of crimes by providing cover and interfering with law enforcement.

So … if you want to look at the FACTS, most of those protesting, demonstrating and rioting are NOT simply expressing their constitutional rights.  They are violating them.  They are committing crimes – thousands of crimes … millions of crimes.

Understandably, we allow some license when large crowds gather.  Many a night club will have a crowd greater than the legal capacity.  We do allow political demonstrations block a street for a time – parade without a permit.  That is the kind of judgment call a civil and just society can tolerate.

But … It seems to me that we have allowed too much tolerance to unruly crowds and serious criminality.  That alone will encourage more criminality — from the person with a can of spray paint to the arsonist.  Watching mobs tear down and destroy property, deface every surface available and set cars afire without interference from police is a disgrace.

We are told over and over again that we are a nation of laws – and that no person is above the law – and then we allow street mobs to prove that neither claim is true.

So. There ‘tis.