In America, one of the things that is taken for granted every day is an individual’s right to free speech. In the American Civil Liberties Union’s documentary entitled “The ACLU Freedom Files: Dissent” this freedom and its oppression is discussed. Often, Americans will claim that they can say whatever they want, because of “free speech”, but as this documentary shows oftentimes that is not the case. Peaceful protestors are often harassed, arrested, and even sometimes harmed by the police. One protest that resulted in the arrest of more than 1800 citizens occurred in New York City, during the Republican Convention. Michael Schiller, a journalist who was at this convention, reports that they were arrested and locked in cages “without
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Much like any normal protest, these individuals were simply walking around in a circle holding signs protesting the war. However, when police showed up, the demonstration was attacked by tear gas and wooden bullets. These wooden bullets are not supposed to be directly shot at people for crowd control, as they can cause serious injury or death. Many people were seriously injured as a result of this demonstration. Some of the protestors have decided never to go to a protest again, out of fear of the police. Others realize that they cannot allow fear to prevent them from demonstrating their right of free speech. If they do not protest, than the people who want to silence them will win. There was absolutely no reason that these extreme measures had to be taken in order to disperse this crowd. If the protesters were too rowdy, or were breaking the law in some way, the policemen should have first tried ordering them to disperse. Bullets and teargas should never be the first efforts in crowd control. This documentary shed light on attempts at repressing the right of free speech given to the people by the first amendment. This right is crucial in the United States, because it is the only thing that keeps the government in line. As a democracy, the citizens of America have a right to peaceful protest, and this right cannot be taken away from
Much like any normal protest, these individuals were simply walking around in a circle holding signs protesting the war. However, when police showed up, the demonstration was attacked by tear gas and wooden bullets. These wooden bullets are not supposed to be directly shot at people for crowd control, as they can cause serious injury or death. Many people were seriously injured as a result of this demonstration. Some of the protestors have decided never to go to a protest again, out of fear of the police. Others realize that they cannot allow fear to prevent them from demonstrating their right of free speech. If they do not protest, than the people who want to silence them will win. There was absolutely no reason that these extreme measures had to be taken in order to disperse this crowd. If the protesters were too rowdy, or were breaking the law in some way, the policemen should have first tried ordering them to disperse. Bullets and teargas should never be the first efforts in crowd control. This documentary shed light on attempts at repressing the right of free speech given to the people by the first amendment. This right is crucial in the United States, because it is the only thing that keeps the government in line. As a democracy, the citizens of America have a right to peaceful protest, and this right cannot be taken away from