Say Anything Blog

Why in the world does law enforcement tolerate this sort of thing?

Fort Lewis officials are alerting soldiers and their families to avoid the Tacoma Mall between noon and 5:30 p.m. March 15 because of a planned anti-war protest at the commercial center of Pierce County.

Mall officials are preparing accordingly.

Local protest groups have announced their intention to “shutdown” the Tacoma Mall, specifically the military recruiting station in the commerical [sic] tower located on the north side of the property. The building does not fall under mall management.

The protesters would, I’m sure, be quick to invoke their 1st amendment rights if they were arrested for “shutting down” this mall, but it’s worth remembering that the 1st amendment only protects the right of citizens to “peacefully” assemble.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging 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.

“Shutting down” a mall isn’t a peaceful assemblage, and people engaging in such activities should be arrested and/or fined.  They are certainly free to engage in their anti-military demonstrations, but those demonstrations cannot be so disruptive as to force other citizens to close their businesses.

The left wouldn’t tolerate this kind of behavior from pro-life demonstrators outside of abortion clinics (I’m pro-life but I wouldn’t support it either), so there’s no reason to tolerate it outside of military recruiting offices.