So this is America?

http://www.commondreams.org/further/2011/02/16-3

by oewolf • 15 years ago

39 10 15 years ago

kongqiu• 15 years ago

What are the specific laws relating to non-violent protest at this kind of event?

mkross• 15 years ago

Assuming the article is correct (and the video seems to back that up), I wouldn't even consider this protesting. Yelling over Clinton's speech, holding up signs, harassing people going to the speech, throwing shoes -- these are all protests. Quietly standing with your back to the speaker? Not a chance.

jeromec• 15 years ago

I would call it a protest, a silent one, and with some degree of effect as well especially if cameras ever showed the audience. However, such prompt removal for such a passive/peaceful gesture is troubling.

blueben• 15 years ago

You are willing to begin regulating what is and is not protest speech?

jj7711• 15 years ago

I suppose when Rosa Parks quietly sat at the front of the bus she wasn't protesting either.

nika• 15 years ago

There's only one law, and it is pretty specific:

"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."

They could have asked him to leave. Then demanded he leave. Then arrested him if he refused to leave. That would have been legal.

mrj• 15 years ago

Unfortunately, the amendment didn't specify where you can assemble and petition. Government in recent years has been making sure that's a "free speech zone" that's quite a distance away.

They removed him because they don't allow you to petition the government, you know, within earshot.

Skroob• 15 years ago

Was he standing in the aisle? In his seat? Neither may justify being roughed up like that, but this appears to be a statement from his lawyers, and a video that only shows him being removed. Can we even be confident this is the whole truth?

ajays• 15 years ago

While I'm appalled at the incident and upset, I don't think this belongs in HN...

ck2• 15 years ago

Much better link with more details:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-kall/former-cia-agent-ray-...

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=N-Vy8fFnz18#t=0m20s

If I am understanding this correctly, all this guy did was stay standing with his back to the speaker.

That's some insane abuse if true.

So this is America?

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