The First Amendment to the Constitution, found in the Bill of Rights, famously protects the right to assemble. Groups across campus and across the country have fully utilized this right. Groups such as Black Lives Matter, PETA and even Westboro Baptist Church lead massive protests. While the right to assemble is important, organizations have seemed to overlook one key word within the First Amendment: That word is peaceably. The First Amendment protects the right to peaceably assemble, not violently assemble. Unfortunately, many protesters and student activists seem to have forgotten this important word and many protests have taken a turn for the worst.
This past week, Donald Trump was to hold a rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Trump campaign cancelled the event due to security concerns after the event was stormed by a wave of protesters. The protest, organized by a group supporting Bernie Sanders called People for Bernie, brought together waves of people disgruntled over Trump’s controversial statements about Muslims and Hispanics. Things worsened when protesters turned violent by ripping Trump signs and physically assaulting Trump supporters. One police officer was taken to the hospital after being hit over the head with a bottle. While groups have the freedom to say what they want and to peaceably assemble, it is utterly disgraceful when they begin to attack others. Twitter exploded as people called for the release of protesters who were “unjustly” jailed after turning violent. I find it infuriating when people don’t understand that violence is illegal. Those arrests aren’t unjust. The police were trying to protect people, and instead they get assaulted themselves.
We also recently saw the rise of two massive protests in Ferguson and Baltimore. What started out as peaceful protests quickly turned into rioting. SWAT teams had to be called in as buildings were burned, stores were looted and shots were fired. The ironic matter of it all is that, by attempting to protest police injustice, many protesters committed acts of injustice. President Barack Obama addressed the nation by reminding the public of the difference between constructive and destructive protests. However, many simply didn’t listen or care.
Perhaps the most famous protest to occur in recent history happened just blocks away from campus. In 2011, as many as 100,000 people rushed to the Wisconsin State Capitol to oppose Governor Scott Walker’s infamous Act 10. While the bill remains controversial to this day, most people recognize that the protests got ugly. Legislators were spit on and had to take underground tunnels just to leave the Capitol. Protesters camped out on the floor of the building. Large national organizations even began to bus people from across the country to Madison just to grow the ranks. While just an 8th grader at the time, I realized the events in Madison were bad. However, I didn’t realize just how bad it was until I read Governor Walker’s book “Unintimidated.” No matter where someone stands on the issue, I highly recommend the book just to get a behind-the-scenes look at what occurred. The protests are a prime example of when a good cause becomes a rotten egg. Going forward, it will be one of the defining moments of Wisconsin history in our lifetime.
Student activism plays an important role on campus and in our country. As the rising generation, it is our duty to make sure that our voices are heard. There is a mighty difference between constructive protesting and outright rioting. Quite frankly, the best way to have one’s voice heard is to make sure that protests don’t get out of hand. Violence makes matters worse and being outright disrespectful will only cause people to resent a protest. If we choose to participate in any type of protest, we should always take the high road. Respect changes minds and hearts, whereas disrespect only brings problems.
We the people have a right to peaceably assemble. As a result, we should absolutely utilize this wonderful right we have that many across the world don’t. However, it must never be forgotten that there is one little important word that has been neglected as of late: peaceably.
Ben is a freshman majoring in political science. Do you agree with him? Let us know what you think. Send all comments and concerns to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
