I am writing in response to the article “Occupy Bellingham booted, suit considered.” I personally find the lawsuit against the city to be absurd. I am completely in support of peaceful protest; however the protesters were instructed to vacate the city park and were given 24 hours notice to do so.
The protest ceased to be peaceful the moment the protesters disobeyed the officers’ direct orders to vacate the premises in a timely fashion. In addition, the protesters inhabited a city park for more than 60 days, causing damage to the park. Their presence denied tax-paying residents the use and enjoyment of park grounds.
I do not see how the protesters have any reasonable grounds to sue the city because they were asked to vacate the space, not to cease protesting. Not to mention the city had to spend about $4,000 cleaning up the park after these protesters.
I thought the point of Occupy Bellingham was to prove that we are the 99 percent and not to destroy the city. The primary argument made by those who were arrested is that their First Amendment right to freedom of assembly was violated. If you read the First Amendment, it clearly states that you have the freedom of assembly as long as you do not breach the peace of the community, which they clearly violated.
While it may sound as if I am not in support of those protesting, it is quite the opposite. I am proud to live in a country where we can stand for what we believe in and freely express our opinion. But that should not be at the taxpayer’s expense.
Related articles:
- Bellingham protesters lend hands to
Occupy Seattle
- Occupy Bellingham booted, suit considered
- ONLINE: Occupy Bellingham protesters to craft mission statement
