Professional Documents
Culture Documents
English 102
Dr. Cuddy
Throughout the history of this country, protesting has been a way, to let the voices of
everyday people be heard on a larger scale. Although, many forget that when protesting for
rights of others, you need to remember the rights of the protesters as well. A good public
service announcement can talk about the importance of knowing your rights as an American
citizen while going out to protest for the rights of others. To grab the attention of the
demographic of people from the ages of 18-30, we can inform them on how to recognize when
their rights are being violated during a protest. We will also inform them of the issue that
allows this topic to take center stage: with the human rights of the protestors being violated,
they are in turn violating our first amendment right as American citizens. Protesting may not be
the way everyone wants to advocate for human rights, but it is a way to allow the publics voice
When protesting, the protester needs to be aware of their own rights. Your freedom of
enforcement can put in nondiscriminatory, or narrowly drawn time, place, and manner
restrictions, on the first amendment, it must allow all freedom of speech regardless of its point
of view(Rights). Protesters can engage in freedom of speech on public forums, such as streets,
sidewalks, public plazas(Rights). But on private property the owner can set rules restricting your
freedom of speech. Marches do not require a permit unless they come off the sidewalk, and
protesters have the right to picket sidewalks(Rights). Protesters can also be charged by their
local government, for application fees, security deposits, etc., but can receive a waiver if its a
grassroots movement(Rights). If protesters are being prevented from acting in these instances
The first amendment states; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances(Staff, Lll). This means that it is our right to protest for the rights of others. Although
we have this right, as a citizen, you need to make sure it is not infringed upon while protesting.
Over the years, protesting has been looked at as a disturbance of the peace, law enforcement
has taken measures to ensure that peace is restored often at the expense of the protesters
rights being violated. This was shown during the civil rights movement, during the March on
Selma, when the protesters were brutally beaten by law enforcement. Also, more recently,
protesters of the Trump Administration, have been attempted to be silenced by having their
signs taken away, or unlawfully arrested(Mediate). Although it can cause a disturbance, the
object of protesting and many times bringing about positive change for those who have less of a
people, for the people. So, if the people feel as if their voices are not being heard, they have the
right to come together and voice their opinion. In the history of this country although our
constitution was made on this rhetoric, there have been many instances where it has not been
favored upon to protest, but we must remember that the only way to create change id for our
Staff, LII. "First Amendment." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., 05 Feb. 2010. Web.
least 18 states." The Washington Post. WP Company, 24 Feb. 2017. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/24/republican-lawmakers-
introduce-bills-to-curb-protesting-in-at-least-17-states/?utm_term=.a07344852be7>.
Mediaite: NY court to trump team: Do not interfere with protesters' rights (2015). .
rights/what-do-if-your-rights-are-violated-demonstration-or-protest>.
<http://www.pbs.org/tpt/constitution-usa-peter-sagal/rights/#.WOuVlY-cFhg>.