What happens when the Right to a Peaceful Assembly meets the Right to Free Speech

April 18, 2011

This last weekend, Americans For Prosperity held Tax Day rallies in cities around the country. The rally at the statehouse in Madison Wisconsin included Sarah Palin as the main speaker, along with other Wisconsin Tea Party notables. Sarah picked the hotbed.

Not to be undone, the Madison Firefighters posted a notice the prior day, calling all who wanted to protest this rally, to meet at the firehouse an hour beforehand, and to bring along any means of noisemakers they could muster up. They did just that – and with a vengeance. The noise began as soon as the protesters arrived and continued while the National Anthem was played, and long after the rally had concluded. Obscenities and hand gestures were rampant – along with the raised fist signs. I understand that if one wants to instill fear in someone, just poke that raised fist in his or her face – that’ll do it,.

Someone said that if protesters went away and kept quiet, they wouldn’t be protesters, would they. Well… publicly demonstrating an objection is one thing, but to do it in a vile way is just not acceptable. The protesters only goal was to disrupt the AFP right to a peaceful assembly, with enforcing their right of free speech. I for one have no respect for that behavior.

Here is a video of Tricia Willoughby making her speech to the assembly – she is jus 14 years old. There was a ruckus going on by one protester during her speech that I will have the dignity not to repeat. To me, he was looking for attention, and there are those giving it to him. Not a good idea.

Here is Sarah Palin’s speech.
Those who came early had upfront viewing - those behind the media tower had to put up with the protesters.
Here is a link containing a video showing the contrast between the rallies on either side of the Statehouse.