As V pointed out earlier, Now, Everybody Who Isn’t a Radical Is a Nazi. The same goes for First Amendment supporters.
Here is the First Amendment:
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.
Among other things, it means that horrible Nazi-leaning citizens get to peaceably assemble and demonstrate. So do horrible Commie-leaning citizens (Antifa) – if it’s done “peaceably”.
And what does “peaceably” mean? It does NOT mean smiles, rainbows, unicorns, or coming all unarmed. Nope. It means:
- The demonstrators co-ordinate with local authorities to prevent problems. Including (but not limited to) them getting a permit.
- If problems occur anyway, they obey lawful commands to disperse (and can be prosecuted if they don’t).
- Others can show up and counter-demonstrate, but…
- those others have NO superior rights or authority. For example, counter-demonstrators have no right to attack. It is NEVER “understandable” or “justified” if they attack, no matter how odious are the demonstrators’ opinions, signs or speeches.
Under those terms: Nazis, KKK, or even Commies (Antifa) are allowed to assemble and do a little march. This is why, in 1978, the ACLU successfully defended the right of neo-Nazis to march in Skokie, IL.
Here’s the point: EVERY American, no matter their color or background or life experience, must accept this. Because, that’s America. It’s how America rolls.
Now, what happened in Charlottesville last weekend?
- Various groups, not limited to white racists, got a permit to assemble in a park.
- They began to assemble peaceably.
- BEFORE anything bad happened – indeed, even before the start time on their permit – Democrat Governor McAuliffe declared them unlawful and ordered them to disperse.
- Counter-demonstrators did not have a permit, assembled anyway and, by many first-hand accounts and videos, physically attacked the demonstrators as they were dispersing.
- Correction: The counter-demonstrators were permitted for 2 nearby parks; still NOT the park nor the streets where the demonstrators were.
- After an hour or two of that: one person, possibly with the demonstrators or possibly mentally ill, rammed a car into the counter-demonstrators.
Horrific as that final crime was, are those counter-demonstrators who attacked people somehow “understandable” or “justified” or “morally better”? Not under the terms of the First Amendment.
So, should President Trump call out the demonstrators alone and give them all the blame? Not under the terms of the First Amendment.
Either you support the First Amendment, or you don’t. If you do, then you have to put your focus on neutrally defending everyone’s First Amendment rights, as President Trump does.
This goes for the colossal dummies Rubio, Romney, McCain, and all you Democrats and SJWs out there. If you believe in the First Amendment, you’ll unite behind the President’s approach. If you don’t, we know the truth about you.
It’s time to remember your Constitution and rally behind First Amendment rights (and other rights, like due process) for all citizens, especially the ones you can’t stand.
UPDATE – Icing it: Atlanta leftie mob tears down a Peace Monument. Because, yes, mobs are that stupid.