Question

(Citizenship 02.05 HC) Imagine that people from around your state camp out in the state capital's public parks and organize protests against the state government. Police and city workers are complaining about the mess and threat to public safety caused by the protestors. Discuss whether you think any limitations to their activities would be reasonable and why. Include an explanation of how the situation relates to at least one amendment in the Bill of Rights.

Answer 1

The reasonable limitations that could be implemented to the protesters would come as proportional to the mess and threat they cause. The protesters should make clear what are the delimitations of their rallies, so the local citizens are aware of. The local government might use the police force in case the protestors start acts of vandalism of private property. The given context relates to the 1st Amendment, which advocated for the freedom of speech and the right of people to assemble, but as long is in a peaceable manner.

Answer 2

It is a right for citizens to gather together to protest against something they feel is not right, if petitions do not work they should go on and organize their protest, however, the other people have the right not totake part if they do not want and no one can obstruct traffic nor can they prevent people from entering or leaving any place, and obviously, third part's properties are their properties and should be left alone. In this scenario, if the leaders cannot put a limit on individual protesters who for whatever reason are acting abusively, yes,the police has the right to intervene and even arrest and prosecute wrongdoers.

For protesters they are exercising the first amendment the right for free speech and petition basically. And also on the premises of the first amendment the police can act upon to guarantee the general population's rights.