Who Really Runs The Streets? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Who Really Runs The Streets?

First Amendment rights gone too far?

114
https://unsplash.com/photos/AsYKWGD7GIk

On October 6th, Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA protesters gathered in Portland, Oregon to protest the shooting of Patrick Kimmons. Video footage shows these protesters blocking streets, redirecting traffic, and harassing drivers. In one such instance, a driver asks why he is being redirected, to which a protester responds "because I told you to." Another protester comes over and says "Get out of here you white f***er."

This protest comes amidst a trend of protesters not only turning violent but blatantly disobeying the law. When questioned why the police were not stopping the demonstration, they responded that while they were monitoring the situation, they had an obligation to protect the first amendments rights of the protesters.

While it's wonderful the police wanted to ensure that the protesters were allowed to freely exercise their first amendment right, we must question the limits of this practice. It is not as if these protesters were protesting in a park, at a federal building, or in a space designated for public gathering. These protesters were blocking traffic, and furthermore taking traffic directing into their own hands. Since when did the protesters get the legal authority to direct traffic in such proportions? Who is held responsible when they cause an accident due to their inexperience directing traffic? Do we blame the protesters, who were essentially justified by the lack of police action, or do we blame the police, who allowed the protesters to create such an ordeal?

Furthermore, protesters could be seen hitting various cars and harassing the drivers, where are their rights? Is it fair that they are simply passing through and are being taunted and harassed without any police intervention to protect them?

I will always defend the right to free speech, regardless of if I disagree with it or not; but where do we draw the line between a peaceful exercise of the first amendment and blatant disregard for the community? We should draw the line here. These protesters should have been moved, or a police officer should have been directing traffic, to ensure that both passerby's and protesters were not injured.

Last, isn't it a bit ironic that these protesters are fighting against racism while simultaneously calling the drivers "whitey" and "white f***er"? What did the drivers' race have to do with them asking where the protesters' authority came from? Protesters like these are the reason that so many activist groups get a bad reputation, they have no idea how to be civil and hold discourse. They resort to insults and harassment tactics because their actions have been condoned. If they want to exercise their first amendment right, try to do it civilly.

If throwing myself into the middle of the street and crying worked, I'd have got a lot more toys as a kid.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

11 Confessions Of A Sleep-A-Holic

If your plans get cancelled, there is a 99.9% percent chance you are sleeping.

271
woman lying on bed
Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

1. What are some of your hobbies? Does sleep count?

I'm so good at sleeping I can do it with my eyes closed

Keep Reading...Show less
one tree hill
Wikipedia Commons

If you need a new series to watch, I recommend One Tree Hill. I watched this series three times now and it only keeps getting better. If you need any more reasons beside the fact that all of the seasons are on Netflix for your binge-watching pleasure, here are seven more reasons to watch it.

Keep Reading...Show less
University of Mount Olive
University of Mount Olive

College is the most exciting time of a person's life. It really is. Exciting is not always a positive feeling though. Excited is a feeling that can be associated with nervousness, anxiety and more. Here are some real tips for college freshman that go beyond the typical, "Go to class," lecture.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The 5 Pros and Cons Of Long Distance Friendships

Being friends with someone thousands of miles away has its drawbacks and perks.

1288
friends on the beach

True friendship is incredibly rare, and to find a friend that will be there for you through all of life's curveballs is something quite unique. To add distance into the equation, maintaining a real, true friendship can be a struggle. There are good and bad parts that come with long distance friendship.

Keep Reading...Show less
high school girls
Tori Horne

Friendship. It's defined as the state of being attached to another person by feelings of affection or personal regard, but what really is friendship? Is it that occasional hallway talk with that one person who always manages to cheer you up? Is it that relationship you have with someone where they can be gone for a long period of time, but when they come back, it's like they never left? Is it spending every waking hour with someone, and knowing every detail about their life? Is it the relationship that's filled with fighting, but filled with even more resolution? I've learned that it's all of these things, and every friendship is different. It's a beautifully dysfunctional mess that should always be cherished and never be taken for granted.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments