From David Rivkin Online
They are not what democracy looks like and are looking less and less like a serious protest movement. Nevertheless, much can be learned from the Occupy Wall Street crowd’s protracted seizure of New York’s private Zuccotti Park, similar unlawful tactics around the country and the much delayed official response. The most important lesson is that when government fails to do its duty in a timely manner, ordinary citizens must consider using existing laws to protect themselves from unruly Occupiers.
The park protesters have been camping out in the urban environment, unsuitable for such activities. They have created sanitary problems and noise pollution by beating drums and other instruments. Crime has shot up in and around the park, including rapes and physical assaults. Police officers have been injured in confrontations with protesters — problems that are not limited to Occupy protests in New York City. Yet, for weeks, public officials — afraid of being labeled as hostile to the First Amendment — have gone to great lengths to avoid confrontation with the protesters.
Government role
Maintenance of public order is government’s most basic charge. Forcing protesters to comply with reasonable restrictions for their activities — obtaining proper permits and obeying safety and sanitation rules — is supported by well-established Supreme Court jurisprudence and does not manifest a hostility to free speech. Tolerating unlawful conduct on a mass scale, however, debases the rule of law and suggests a portion of the political establishment has lost faith in our system of government. It is the job of public officials to ensure the rights of the entire community, not just its most vocal elements.
Residents surrounding Zuccotti Park are a case in point. Many appeared sympathetic to the protesters, but others resented the disruption and public safety issues Occupy caused. They too have legal rights, not least of which is the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. Local business owners also have a right not to have their customers threatened or driven away.
Read the rest here.
Funny how conservaloons cry about too many laws….then they try filing lawsuits to shut down protests they disagree with.
Kinda like how Liberals beat their chest about Free Speech, but use force, intimidation, false claims, and yes, lawsuits to shout down anyone who disagrees with or criticizes them.