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LOS ANGELES — Police arrested 22 demonstrators who blocked entry to a downtown Chase bank branch Thursday to protest what they said were unfair home foreclosures.
The demonstrators, which included homeowners facing foreclosure, community advocates and labor leaders, silently allowed officers to bind their wrists behind their backs with plastic restraints and guide them into a police van.
Dozens more demonstrators chanted and marched on a nearby sidewalk holding sighs that said "Stop Bank Greed, Save Our Neighborhoods" as the 12 men and 10 women were taken into custody.
Detective Gus Villanueva said there were no injuries to police or protesters, who would be cited for trespassing and released.
Sherrie, I actively promote and peacefully work toward resurrection of our Constitutional, civil, statutory and human rights. I state my orientation so you will understand my point in context.
ReplyDeleteThose arrested did not have their freedom of speech infringed; they were infringing on the private property rights of Chase (a bank which I personally abhor). Notice please that the protesters who were on the sidewalk (public easement) were left alone to protest peacefully. Only those who were on private property AND blocking customers' freedom of movement into and out of the business were arrested.
Freedom of speech is important to continued liberty. Just as important are private property rights, which are also under attack by Leviathan governmental forces (ie, eminent domain abuses, restrictive zoning, CC&Rs etc).
Our rights end when we begin infringing upon those of others. In this case, IF it went down as reported, the only rights being infringed were Chase's property rights, and the perpetrators were justly arrested.
There are SO many excellent examples of infringement of freedom of speech; please choose wisely. One obvious example is the "Free Speech Zones" being set up by government at public gatherings to train Americans to think we must obtain permits to speak our minds, and even then stand in designated areas only. How about an article on THAT infringement?