07-09-2016, 10:25 AM
(07-09-2016, 05:34 AM)cannongal Wrote:(07-09-2016, 04:34 AM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: If we get to a point in this country where peaceful protest and freedom of speech is discouraged and blamed for the violent actions of unhinged individuals who attach themselves to a cause, I think we'll have even bigger problems than those being protested and spoken against now.
Tis my opinion that we may get to that point faster than we want to, because I don't see a clear definition of 'peaceful protest'.
Call me crazy, but I don't see how 1,000 people walking onto a highway, & stopping traffic is 'peaceful'. In this instance, you are disrupting someone else's life because of your own belief. When you disrupt someone else's life, it generally causes anger, and the cycle of violence begins.
I don't think you're crazy; traffic jams irritate me too.
But, traffic and occasional disruptions to my daily activities don't make me (or other mentally and emotionally sound people) angry or violent.
The protesters are trying to affect change and draw attention to what they see as a very serious problem; a problem that many people don't want to see or address.
If the protests aren't violent and protesters don't destroy/steal property, then I consider them "peaceful". I've seen a lot of peaceful protests and I've seen some riots - I don't find it hard to differentiate the two.
An existing longstanding cycle of system-sanctioned violence and discrimination at the hands of some police officers and departments is what's being protested. I wouldn't attempt to discourage anyone from protesting a systematic problem because I'm less likely to be affected by it than are they, or because some disgruntled and unsound people might use the protests as justification to go off.
Anyway, I don't agree with every one of the protest points and assertions. But, I understand why some people are protesting and respect their right to do so, even if it inconveniences some other people.