In the United States Constitution, there is this little
piece we have come to know as the Bill of Rights. This article contains 10
amendments, the first stating the following:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging of 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.”
This first amendment guarantees our individual rights to
freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of speech. This means
as a citizen of this country I may peacefully protest things I don’t like, such
as Donald Trump. It also allows me the freedom to say, write or type whatever I
want, with some exceptions of course. Furthermore, it gives me the right to
join any club, gang, group or congregation I so choose. If I want to gather
together with people that share the same ideas and values, I can. Whether that group
be the KKK, Comic Con or Westboro Baptist Church, it’s well within my right to
do so.
I’m no Trump fan. I am also not a Hillary supporter (unless
it’s for her enrollment in federal prison, then count me in). Do I feel the
Bern? Not really. Cruz, no. Kasich? Who?
In my opinion, the candidates we’ve been offered for our
future 45th President aren’t necessarily the crème de la crème. Each
one has a flaw (or two) that most can’t look pass. However, those who do see
these candidates as fit have every right to assemble at their rallies and cheer
on their promised hopeful.
On Saturday, March 19th in the Phoenix suburb of
Fountain Hills, two dozen Trump protesters blocked a main highway with
themselves and their parked cars. Their intentions were to prevent Trump
supporters to be able to attend the rally that was being held a few miles away.
Now, I believe in our right to protest, but preventing
others from attending a gathering in which they will express their ideas with
other like-minded peoples is unlawful. It’s understandable why so many people despise
Trump. He has said and promised some awful and hateful things during his campaign.
However, blocking access to one of his
rallies is not right and is deemed unconstitutional. There’s also the whole
obstructing a highway thing. Some supporters had to walk nearly 4 miles because
of the blockade. How is that fair?
The previous weeks Trump rally was to be held in Chicago.
However, it was cancelled due to violence and security concerns. Confrontations
amongst protesters, supporters and police has become a common occurrence at
Trump rallies.
Preventing Trump and his supporters from gathering only adds negative fuel to the hateful fires. These preventions are not the American way.
Breaking the law and impeaching on other citizens’ rights because you don’t
like the things a candidate says is not right. In a twisted way, those
protesters are just like Trump. They are all bullies in the hallway.
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