Archive for the ‘First Amendment’ Category

FBI seeking information on individuals inciting violence during First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrations – KSN-TV

WASHINGTON D.C. (KSNW) The FBI issued a release Monday stating they respect the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, and that their mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory.Accordingly, the FBI said they are committed to apprehending and charging violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law. The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens.To help the FBI identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the wake of Mr. George Floyds death, they are accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters surrounding the civil unrest that is happening throughout the country.

The FBI is urging anyone who witnesses or has witnessed unlawful violent actions to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to the case atfbi.gov/violence. Information may also be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) and verbally reporting tips and/or information related to this investigation.

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FBI seeking information on individuals inciting violence during First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrations - KSN-TV

Pennsylvania Commissions Jointly Issue Statement Defending the First Amendment Right to Protest and Air Grievances – MyChesCo

HARRISBURG, PA The Pennsylvania Commissions on African American, Latino, Asian Pacific American, Women and LGBTQ Affairs, overseen by Gov. Tom Wolf, released a joint statement honoring the memory of George Floyd and other Americans of color who have lost their lives to police violence, and denouncing indoctrinated racism, bigotry and sanctioned violence.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, our nation has erupted into civil unrest. These protests are a byproduct of centuries of racism, bigotry, and sanctioned violence against black and brown communities. The anger and frustration being expressed nationally by communities of color has been fueled by a federal administration that has shown a complete disregard for the wellbeing of its citizens. We stand with the families of those who have lost their lives or have been affected by police violence and empathize with the feelings of outrage at a system that has yet to change.

To be a strong, successful community, we need every Pennsylvanian that includes Pennsylvanians who are Black. Amid deep grief and moral outrage, we see acts of grace and leadership. We are reminded that the Civil Rights Movement is not history because its great work is still unfinished. Every Pennsylvanian is called upon to take up this crucial work. We stand together in the presence of that righteous calling today.

Jalila Parker, executive director of the Governors Advisory Commission on African American Affairs stated:

We are witnessing a public outcry, a demand for America to acknowledge the institutional and systemic pain the Black community has faced. We affirm the rights of those who march, stand, or kneel. They are demonstrations of our collective grief; a tribute to all the Black lives lost to police brutality, violent crime, and COVID-19. Although social distancing prevents us from wrapping our arms around you, we will not be silent in our pain, grief, love, and support.

Luz Colon, executive director of the Governors Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA), stated:

(GACLA) expresses the sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies for the Floyd family and to all Americans directly and indirectly affected by racism against the Black and Brown communities across this great nation. Acts of bigotry, hatred, and racism will not define or destroy us they never have, they never will. We will conquer together and get through this with our collective resilience. We will prove that isolated acts of hatred cannot undo the bonds that have unified our communities for centuries.

Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Governors Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, stated:

Just as so many of our Black siblings stood with us over the past six months of COVID-inspired anti-Asian racism, we stand with our Black communities across Pennsylvania and the nation as they lead protests aimed straight at the racism at the heart of our systems. We know that if Asian communities in Pennsylvania are to have all we need to be safe, healthy, and strong, the same must be true of Black and Latinx communities, and we are committed to making that happen. We also hear the voices of Asian, Black, and Latinx small businesses devastated not just by the past few days, but by months of pandemic. Many of those impacted are community elders, new immigrants, and non-English speakers, and are therefore vulnerable to COVID-19, barely scraping by and lacking insurance. Our institutions should turn away from militarization, escalation, and violence, and instead invest in our communities, ensure justice for all, and provide support to assist those affected with recovering from the past few days, as well as reverse decades of exploitation, disinvestment, and neglect.

Danielle Okai, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, stated:

What weve seen unfolding on our screens over the past couple of days is the continuance of a rich legacy of protest and uprising that Americans who are Black have had to engage in since their first arrival on American shores. Study after study, as well as our lived experiences, reveal this undeniable fact: We live in a deeply, deeply unequal society. In Pennsylvania, as in many states, people who are Black are much more likely to die at the hands of police than any other group of Pennsylvanians. This is unacceptable. As a Black woman, I fear for my life, the lives of my loved ones, and the lives of all Black Pennsylvanians. Martin Luther King Jr. is beloved today, but in his time many feared his dogged pursuit of equality. Among the swells of protestors across our commonwealth, across our nation, and across the world marches the next generation of leaders the next Fannie Lou Hamer, the next Ida B. Wells, the next June Jordan. Their struggle for peace will ensure a better world for us all.

Rafael lvarez Febo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, stated:

As June dawns on us we are reminded that the Stonewall uprising was a riot, that those actions helped launch LGBTQ civil rights movements across the United States, and that they were led by Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two transgender women of color, alongside other activists. We cannot separate what we celebrate as Pride month from the crucial actions taken by citizens in search of justice in an unjust system. Although there has been a few instances of violence and property damage, the overwhelming majority of people have taken to the streets to peacefully demonstrate and express their First Amendment rights.

The Commissions will continue to work closely with community stakeholders and Gov. Wolf to bring about the changes needed in the commonwealth for justice while preserving public safety.

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Pennsylvania Commissions Jointly Issue Statement Defending the First Amendment Right to Protest and Air Grievances - MyChesCo

Delegate abuses First Amendment Rights | Letters To The Editor – The Central Virginian

Among the rights listed in the First Amendment are freedom of the press, freedom of speech and the freedom to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

In a letter in the Jan. 16 edition of this newspaper, Dan Braswell admonished the paper for allowing a reader to exercise their First Amendment right to free speech. Braswell later endorsed Delegate John McGuire (R-56) for U.S. Congress.

In April, McGuire posted on his Facebook page that we the people must be heard, at the same time censoring comments from constituents disagreeing with his position. If you pay close attention, you can detect a high-pitched incessant whine about mistreatment from some voters.

What we have is an advocate for infringement of First Amendment rights, endorsing someone who practices infringement of these rights, for an elected position where those rights are especially crucial. Why treat constituents that way unless you have no intention of speaking on behalf of everyone? If his views and masculinity are so fragile that they cant stand up to honest criticism and questioning, whats the worth of those views and McGuire? There is no honest discourse when someone scurries away for fear of being offended.

Who does McGuire think of as we the people, while actively muzzling our voices? In that post he states, these folks here all reminded us this is the government of the people, by the people, for the people and our voices will be heard. But he still censors. For all the talk of honoring our Constitutional rights, he seems to have lost track of the First Amendment.

An interesting omission is an explanation for his comment, Blue Virginia posted a quote from me to try and bully me into silence. I wonder what that quote from him was and how something that McGuire himself said could be used to bully him. (Maybe there was some unappreciated sarcasm but it sounds like more whining while blocking comments.)

Both McGuire and Braswell tout the bona fides of Navy SEALs as qualification to represent the electorate, relying on some mystical, non-existent tough guy image. Its difficult to distinguish where McGuire stops complaining and tries to talk policy. If this SEAL is that sensitive and insecure, he doesnt even qualify to continue to act as delegate. There are enough people in Washington destroying the foundations of the Constitution; we should be removing them instead of sending reinforcement.

The experiences of McGuire and Braswell indicate that they prefer to deal with a submissive electorate. We should be asking: Why is it important for McGuire to prohibit expressing differences of opinion as provided in the First Amendment? Should we the people acquiesce to someone who not only doesnt bother to listen, but actively shuts down our voices?

We need to elect officials who will listen to all points of view without offense. We cant afford to be silent about McGuire trying to silence us.

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Delegate abuses First Amendment Rights | Letters To The Editor - The Central Virginian

Here are the Street Closures for Tomorrow’s First Amendment Demonstrations – PoPville

From MPD:

On Saturday, June 6, 2020, multiple First Amendment demonstrations are scheduled to occur in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with this event, there will be street closures and restrictions that motorists should take into consideration:

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking for the demonstrations from 5:00 am to 11:59 pm:

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 17th Street, NWPennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NWIndependence Avenue from 3rd Street, NW to 14th Street, SWConnecticut Avenue from I Street, NW to H Street, NWVermont Avenue from I Street, NW to H Street, NWI Street from 14th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWH Street from 14th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWK Street from 14th Street, NW to 17th Street, NWNew York Avenue from 14th Street, NW to 15th Street, NW17th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to K Street, NW16th Street From H Street, NW to K Street, NW15th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to K Street, NW14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to K Street, NW12th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW6th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW4th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW3rd Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

The following streets will be restricted to vehicular traffic from approximately 6:00 am to 11:59 pm. If safe to do so, vehicles will be allowed to enter the restricted area if they are on essential business or traveling to-and-from their residence.

Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 19th Street, NWPennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street, NW to 15th Street, NWPennsylvania Avenue from 17th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWIndiana Avenue from 6th Street, NW to 7th Street, NWJefferson Drive, SW from 3rd Street to 14th Street, SWMadison Drive, NW from 3rd Street to 14th Street, NWC Street from 17th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWC Street from 3rd Street, NW to 6th Street, NWD Street from 3rd Street, NW to 8th Street, NWD Street from 17th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWE Street from 7th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWF Street from 7th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWG Street from 7th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWH Street from 7th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWI Street from New York Avenue, NW to 19th Street, NWK Street from 9th Street, NW to 19th Street, NWConnecticut Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NWVermont Avenue from H Street, NW to L Street, NWNew York Avenue from 9th Street, NW to 15th Street, NWNew York Avenue from 17th Street, NW to 18th Street, NW18th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW17th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW16th Street From H Street, NW to L Street, NW15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to L Street, NW12th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW12th Street Tunnel11th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW10th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to L Street, NW9th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Massachusetts Avenue, NW9th Street Tunnel7th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to E Street, NW6th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW4th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

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Here are the Street Closures for Tomorrow's First Amendment Demonstrations - PoPville

Lara Weber: Protesters who try to ban cameras miss the point of the First Amendment – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

No recording allowed! Stop recording now!

It took a moment to register that the bullhorn admonishment was directed at me. Id just parked my car and walked up to the edge of Oz Park near Lincoln Park High School in Chicago, where a couple hundred young people were gathered on a hill for the start of a march downtown to protest the killing of George Floyd.

As I often do, especially when Im working as a journalist as I was Monday, I was snapping some shots of the scene. I lowered my phone and glanced around to be sure we were all on public property. We were. I lifted up my media badge and said, No, I can take photos here.

But the rebukes continued. You cant record without my consent! yelled a young woman to my side. And People here could literally get arrested if their faces are shown! came another from up on the hill.

I didnt lift my phone camera again until two young women ran up to within a few feet of me, to wave their signs in my face and block my view of the gathering. At that point, I sighed, lifted my phone and snapped a couple of shots of them. Then the groups leaders called for everyone to start marching and they all headed off.

It was a peculiar encounter that left me wondering about how the latest coming-of-age generation understands the First Amendment and whether they could see the double standard they were practicing.

The group I encountered were mostly teens, organized by the group FourtuneHouse to march in two groups one from the North Side, one from the South Side toward downtown. They were peaceful and passionate with their message, and it was inspiring to see so many young people taking action and lifting their voices during such a volatile time.

This is also a generation raised on social media and constant video surveillance a generation that knows intuitively the awesome power that shared images and video carry. So I get their resistance to having their every move documented and pushed out to the world.

Thats the messy part about freedom of speech, though. When were out in the public arena exercising our right to free expression, we dont get to tell others they cant exercise that same right.

Legally, I was allowed to stand on that public sidewalk taking as many photos or videos as I wanted of the group gathered in a public park. The groups members certainly could ask me to stop and implore me to understand the reasons for their request, but I didnt have to comply.

What concerned me more, though, was that these outspoken, determined teens seemed to miss the irony of their demand.

They were gathered to protest because a black man in Minneapolis had died under the crushing pressure of the knee of a white police officer a horrific killing that has sparked outrage around the world.

But how did the world know what happened to George Floyd? We know because a 17-year-old concerned citizen standing nearby hit record on her cellphone camera and captured the torturous eight minutes leading up to Floyds unnecessary death.

Do we want our police to be allowed to say, No recording allowed!? Would we have wanted the father and son who chased down and killed Ahmaud Arbery to have been able to command, No recording allowed!? Would we prefer that the dashcam video of Laquan McDonald being shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer remain hidden?

No, of course not.

Without video, would we know what really happened to Walter Scott, Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Terence Crutcher and so many more?

The power of video to document racism, police brutality and other atrocities has brought remarkable change over the past decade in our societys understanding of what too many people of color endure. It has led to convictions in cases that, before the video era, wouldve been washed away.

The young people out protesting peacefully this week are showing tremendous courage. By practicing their constitutional right to assemble and protest, they are risking physical harm, arrest and, in some cases, repercussions from parents, teachers and employers.

But they must also learn the law if they plan to publicly demonstrate. And they must recognize that with protest comes responsibility and consequences. If they believe strongly enough in their message, it will be worth it.

If they push back against the cameras, though, they risk undermining not only their own cause but the First Amendment rights that allow us to see all the images that are bringing about change.

It takes great courage to be named, to be in the spotlight, to step in front of that camera in the fight for justice.

Without those cameras, though, how would we know?

Lara Weber is a member of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board.

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Lara Weber: Protesters who try to ban cameras miss the point of the First Amendment - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press