barelynangel
Posts: 6233
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I believe part of that registration is to confirm that they will not be interfering with the FREEDOM of others by congregating in areas wherein other people will be extremely hindered or security of people will be hindered. Freedom of speech doesn't mean you have the right to infringe on the rights of others, like using a public street, sidewalk, park etc. The registration also notifies the city when and where police presence may be needed. I also believe the registration protects the gatherers from being cited or arrested for OTHER laws they may be breaking if they had no permit -- i.e., loitering, creating a public disturbance, disturbing the peace etc, even on some levels if it gets crazy, assault if they push a cop in the fray etc. "Peaceful" assembly can quickly become mob assembly and in the end, its not the MOB who will be held legal responsible, it will be the city which allowed the mob to congregate. Be careful that in needing to protect the rightsof protesters, you forget that people who aren't protesting deserve the protection of not being hindered in their daily life because someone else is crying about their 1st Amendment rights. Just like anything that wants to congregate, a permit is needed. Trying to whinge because a group of protesters need a permit to congregate is silly as permits tend to be needed for any type of congregation in a public place. All in all, following the laws of the City doesn't mean the City are infringing on any rights, the City has a DUTY to ALL of its citizens, not just the ones who want to congregate in a public place and protest but those who aren't a part of the protest and are trying to go about their daily lives, to the police department who will be called upon to preserve the peace when protesters get out of hand or rowdy, to the traffic patrol who will have to deal with any backlash to traffice etc etc etc someone else mentioned any damage to public property, even the grass being damaged etc. Trash pickup etc etc etc. I think its really naive for people to not realize the hinderance and cost to a city to allow people to congregate for assembly. I don't see the congregators hurrying up to pay for things that their assembly causes. All in all, i see no reason why a group wouldn't get a permit if that was what was required. angel
< Message edited by barelynangel -- 10/26/2011 6:14:58 PM >
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What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. R.W. Emerson
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