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April 19, 2004

The Right of the People to Peaceably Assemble*

A reminder:

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.

...and it looks like the good people of Brunswick, GA could use a refresher course.

The coastal city of Brunswick, where Randall hopes to gather up to 10,000 people to protest the world leaders' summit, passed a law last month that places conditions on public demonstrations.

Organizers of protests like Randall's "G-8 Carnival" must put up refundable deposits equal to the city's estimated cost for clean up and police protection. Demonstrations may only last 2 hours, 30 minutes. Signs and banners may not be carried on sticks that might be brandished as weapons. And the signs may not be larger than 2-by-3 feet.

While I understand the thinking behind such a move, given that unwashed looney lefties tend to enjoy breaking things and puking on sidewalks when they gather in groups, I also think such a law assumes guilt before anything wrong is done.

If they gather, and if they cause trouble, then fine them to your heart's content. Slap them in jail. Force them to be de-loused at your earliest convenience. Tell those long-haired hippie freaks that "Rock and roll has got to go!"

Until such time, though, that pretty piece of paper loaded with articles and amendments is the supreme law of the land.

* Yours for the low, low price of $19.95 per person peaceably assembling, plus a land use fee of $125, public utilities fee of $35, state and local tax of $299. Other fees may apply.