Women's Marches Exemplify The Right To Peaceful Protest | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Women's Marches Exemplify The Right To Peaceful Protest

It doesn't matter what side of the policy you're on, this was handled exceptionally.

6
Women's Marches Exemplify The Right To Peaceful Protest
www.dailydot.com

On January 21st, 2017 men and women around the world stood together to protest a common cause. As of now, 673 marches have taken place in order to support the mission that the initial march, Women's March on Washington, upholds. No matter what side of the issue you stand on, one thing is certain: These marches provide an excellent example of what it means to peacefully protest.

The American Civil Liberties Union states that the freedom to protest peacefully falls under First Amendment guidelines, allowing individuals to address their concerns in a manner that is both civil and public. This gives people the right to show their concerns without waiting for policymakers to take up the issue. The Supreme Court of the United States has held to that standard, protecting protests as long as the "peaceful" aspect remains intact. The First Amendment does not provide the right to conduct an assembly at which there is clear and present danger of riot, disorder, or other immediate threats to public safety or order.

While rioters shattered windows and caused chaos on Inauguration Day, the women's marches abided by the standards of peaceful assembly. The Women's March on Washington went through the day with 500,000 participants and zero arrests. Sister marches, occurring on a large scale in New York, Los Angelos, and Chicago, saw the same results. Law enforcement was present to assure the peace was kept -- for both protestors and opposing parties.

The Women's March initiative showed the public what it means to protest peacefully -- those ladies (gents, you too) did it right. With celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson acting as influencers and backing the cause with passionate speeches, live music set up for the time spent waiting, and an outstanding amount of organization by volunteers, these marches were planned, respectable, and fully protected by law. From a traditional campaign standpoint, they followed all the rules and were able to provide an open discussion in the public eye.

While social media has flooded with outrage, unity, and a general sense of debate, the important thing to take away from this event is the example it has set. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike all have the same right to protest in this manner. In a society where violence is often the first action taken, the women's marches are a breath of fresh air.

Watch the full coverage of the Women's March on Washington here.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2852
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1706
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200961
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21381
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments