Why (most) protesters aren't much different than rioters

After watching videos of protests and reading about various protests from over the last several weeks, I have come to a conclusion that some will complain about. Before I get to my conclusion, allow me to make some observations.

Protests that are a Constitutional right are for the people to peaceably assemble to voice their grievances to the Government. Peaceably assembled implies that those assembled to voice their grievances (protest) are doing so lawfully. That is, the protesters have followed any and all local, state, and/or federal laws that are applicable to the peaceful assembly. In other words, they have a lawful protest.

By complying with laws protesters can not only safely and lawfully exercise their right to voice their grievances, but they also protect the Constitutional rights of all others, i.e. those who are choosing NOT to participate in the peaceful assembly.

Any protester who infringes on Constitutional rights of others is not peaceably assembled. Protesters nearby who do not intervene to stop the infringement essentially become accessories to that infringement and are, by association, no longer peaceably assembled.

The media seems to identify “peaceful protesters” as those protesters who are not personally engaged in a violent act, which includes vandalism.

But violence is not the only way to disturb the peace and thereby transform a peaceable assembly into an unlawful gathering.

Anytime a protester intentionally obstructs or prevents someone else (whether it’s a counter-protester, passerby, or other person) from exercising their Constitutional rights, that protester is acting illegally.

The Constitution gives us the right to peaceably assemble, but nowhere in the Constitution is anyone given the right to infringe on Constitutional rights of anyone else. That is where are laws come in, to protect the liberties and rights of the public against those who choose to act in ways that infringe upon those freedoms and rights.

The majority of protests seem to be “organized” without complying with, or even attempting to comply with, local or state laws. I see videos of protesters walking, running, or crowding into streets where they unlawfully obstruct traffic. If the protest had obtained appropriate lawful authorization then traffic would be diverted away or blocked. Similarly pedestrians would know to avoid an area if they choose to not be around a protest, but these unlawful protests catch many people off guard and they don't have the choice to avoid those who too often accosted by protesters. It seems to be rare that any protest gets these lawful authorizations any more.

There are accounts of protesters intimidating, yelling, screaming, taunting, and making non-protesters (usually people who just happen to be nearby when the unlawful protesters gather) feel fearful. It’s easy to find protesters expressing hate and/or disrespect towards others, like those not participating in the protest, counter-protesters, and especially towards law enforcement if the protest is against police brutality. There may not be physical violence, but these altercations are definitely not peaceful.

In my opinion, many protesters are as bad or worse than what they are protesting. And the actions of the majority (I'm sure there are a few who do want to follow the law and have peace) make me hesitant to have much sympathy for their cause.

In Salt Lake City, protests following the district attorney’s ruling on a police shooting being justified were not people peaceably assembled. Besides the fact the protest wasn’t lawful to start with, violence, destruction, vandalism, and injuries prove the protesters were not there peacefully.

https://www.ksl.com/article/50000112/protests-in-salt-lake-city-follow-da-ruling-on-palacios-shooting-governor-declares-emergency

The protesters don’t care that the person who was shot was a convicted felon. They don’t care the police officer provided more than enough opportunities for the victim to peacefully end the situation. They seemingly blind themselves to facts and want only what they want.

What do protesters want?

In protests against police brutality it seems most protesters don’t want police officers to ever shoot anyone, especially if that person has a different skin color. Protesters don’t want law enforcement to enforce the law so the public can enjoy their Constitutional rights. Protesters want the bad guys to shot first and if the bad guy is running away they want the police officer to let them go (so they can commit more crimes). Protesters don’t care that many police officers have families they want to go home to. Protesters don’t care that split judgment action is needed and law enforcement trains for quick action not only for their safety but for the safety of the public.

It seems protests against police brutality are just protests against law and order. It seems protesters want to be able to do anything without any accountability. These protesters would rather the bad guy get away, maybe to kill or rape someone, than to be shot if the bad guy doesn’t comply with lawful orders. Protesters seem to want anarchy with mob rule than a society of law and order.

And all those protesting against hate, inequality, disrespect…how do many of them act? They claim to want respect and equality, and to end hate. Yet, I see, hear, and read of hatred spewing from the mouths of protesters, along with extreme disrespect for all those who are not in perfect agreement and stepping in lockstep with the protest’s movement. Not only is disrespect and hatred shown towards those not participating with the protesters, but many of their demands are unconstitutional, where the rights and liberties of others would be infringed upon while providing special privileges and protections to a certain group. And among those special privileges and protections are enhanced consequences, fines, penalties, punishment etc. against violators of those laws protecting special classes of people.

What have all these special protection laws done? They enhance the inequality among the population. Equality would be equal application and enforcement of laws towards all people. Lack of enforcement has been the problem in many cases. Certainly there have and are discriminatory laws that need to be changed or eliminated. But laws that give certain classes of the population special protections and privileges can make other people in the population disgruntled or fearful towards those special classes. This is not equality.

So here is my conclusion. There are very few peaceable assemblies of people voicing their grievances, as described by our Constitutional right. Because there are so few lawful protests, I am willing to lump the majority of protesters with rioters because most protesters disregard the rights and liberties of others and they show a disregard for law and order. Many protesters are disrespectful and even hateful of others, particularly those who may be opposed to their movement. 

Many protesters have gained partial rule or control by fear, intimidation. There are places where mayors allow protesters almost free reign and law enforcement are fearful of doing anything. Corporations, businesses, and other organizations cower in fear towards the threats of protesters and succumb to the demands of the mob/protesters.

Is this what we want in America? Mob rule? Fear of unlawful retribution and retaliation? Instead of a land of the free, we are moving towards increased inequality and unfairness as most protests want to push the country away from law and order.

I fully support the Constitutional right to peaceably assemble to voice grievances. 

I do not support unlawful gatherings, protests, demonstrations, or whatever they may be called where people do not respect the rights and liberties of others, and where the so-called protesters infringe upon the rights and liberties of others. 

If you want to join a protest, it's in your best interest to make sure it's lawful.