How Far Does the First Amendment Protect Us?
Chaos emerged on August 12th, as hundreds of white supremacists assembled for a rally. The assembly was over plans to take down a statue of Robert E. Lee from Emancipation Park. That is where they met counter-protestors. Many of the Unite the Right protestors wore Nazi and white nationalist paraphernalia, and some even wearing Klu Klux Klan symbolism. The counter protestors were in favor of demolishing the statue as they believed it represented racism and violence. On the contrary, white supremacists were appalled with the act. As the rally went on it became clear the Unite the right protestors wanted to express their beliefs and opinions on Religious, racial, and anti-LGBT views.
Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency, according to Time, usually declared because of a civil disorder or a natural disaster. This stated that public safety cannot be protected without additional measurements. Within very little time, the VA state police declared the assembly to be unlawful.
According to Cornell Law School, The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference; which includes speech and the right to peaceably assemble. But not all speech is protected. This includes crimes involving speech, threats, and fighting words. The speech used by the Unite the rally protestors were threatening to groups of people, which made it unprotected by the 1st amendment. Counter protestors sometimes met violence with violence and both party's were unlawful if that was the case.
The first Amendment shields the speaker from the government yet it doesn't pass on the right to induce scorn and brutality against protected classes, otherwise known as minorities. Rallying with with weapons, a Nazi banner, tossing Nazi salutes, and chanting "blood and soil" isn't protected speech. It is provocation of racial and religious scorn. It is an agenda, not simply their speech. Just like Nazis had a plan of genocide, white supremacists have a plan: a White Only Nation.
David duke, a Trump supporter and ex KKK leader, also had play into this rally. David wants to "help white people like Martin Luther King did for blacks" As David Duke stated “We are determined to take our country back,” Duke said from the rally, calling it a “turning point.” “We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That’s what we believed in. That’s why we voted for Donald Trump, because he said he’s going to take our country back.”. Without a doubt, under the law, we are conceded the right to speak freely, press, and assembly; however, utilizing these rights in a negative way that doesn't promote the well being of all humans, is unfair.
Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency, according to Time, usually declared because of a civil disorder or a natural disaster. This stated that public safety cannot be protected without additional measurements. Within very little time, the VA state police declared the assembly to be unlawful.
According to Cornell Law School, The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference; which includes speech and the right to peaceably assemble. But not all speech is protected. This includes crimes involving speech, threats, and fighting words. The speech used by the Unite the rally protestors were threatening to groups of people, which made it unprotected by the 1st amendment. Counter protestors sometimes met violence with violence and both party's were unlawful if that was the case.
The first Amendment shields the speaker from the government yet it doesn't pass on the right to induce scorn and brutality against protected classes, otherwise known as minorities. Rallying with with weapons, a Nazi banner, tossing Nazi salutes, and chanting "blood and soil" isn't protected speech. It is provocation of racial and religious scorn. It is an agenda, not simply their speech. Just like Nazis had a plan of genocide, white supremacists have a plan: a White Only Nation.
David duke, a Trump supporter and ex KKK leader, also had play into this rally. David wants to "help white people like Martin Luther King did for blacks" As David Duke stated “We are determined to take our country back,” Duke said from the rally, calling it a “turning point.” “We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That’s what we believed in. That’s why we voted for Donald Trump, because he said he’s going to take our country back.”. Without a doubt, under the law, we are conceded the right to speak freely, press, and assembly; however, utilizing these rights in a negative way that doesn't promote the well being of all humans, is unfair.
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