Witnessing the over reaction to peaceful protestors by police across the nation is alarming to concerned citizens who recognize that this response is contrary to the United States' First Amendment Rights of Free Speech and our Right to Assemble in Redress of Grievances that are insured by Law.

A new Federal Law is needed that will assure that these rights to "Assemble Peaceably" are respected, especially against all threats, abuse, attacks with weapons by local law enforcement, against protest marches, specifically the endangerment of persons and the blatant destruction of the property of non-violent protest encampments.

Protection must be reinforced by a Federal "Law of the Land," such as was necessary during the Civil Rights struggle. This Federal Law must override local options to violate the people's Rights for any asserted reason, that will and must result in injunction, or punitive action by the Justice Department for the purpose of interceding in behalf of the protection of peaceful protestors.

Some of the hazards to the expression of Freedom of Speech have been noted with local police asserting their authority to control crowds; to protect law and order; to presume to protect the public by acting on what often turn out to be blatantly false allegations of protestor's wrong doings, such as: creating a sanitary hazard with waste products; the creating of a fire hazard with electrical usage and heaters; illicit sexual conduct in a public place, even charges of rape; the use of illegal substances; the blocking of traffic; the interference with normal transaction of local business; etc.

Upon analyzing many of these assertions and allegations it is learned that, contrary to the declaration of non-violence and non law-breaking dedication of the main constituents of a peaceful protest, there are some who chose to act as provocateurs to purposely, defiantly, or even carelessly bring such disgrace and resultant punishment to the declaredly non-offensive movement.

Such offensive persons or such offensive unsanitary conditions are not welcomed by the majority, and when, and if, someone calls attention to such provocative behavior, it will be dealt with effectively in a democratic, ethical and non-violent manner by consensus and by eviction by the majority. This would amount to a self-policing policy. To punish an entire movement for the actions or allegation against one or several offenders is typical of a totalitarian system.

In extreme cases, where banning or shunning or cleaning-up after such an offender or such offenders would not effectively banish them from the group, this would then be seen, paradoxically, as a reason to CALL UPON the local authorities to remove such an offender, who has defied the wishes of the
majority and thereby has assumed the position of jeopardizing the well-being of the Movement.

We need Police Departments that are sensitive to and responsive to the needs of the people to engage in non-violent demonstrations. Let's make it a law!

Thank you for your help.

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