First amendment rights? HA!

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/12/5175/

18 Veterans Arrested in Antiwar Protest
by Tania deLuzuriaga and Charles M. Sennott



More than a dozen members of an antiwar veterans group were arrested yesterday as they protested the exclusion of their message from Boston’s Veterans Day parade.1112 03Members of Veterans for Peace lined up in front of a podium at City Hall Plaza holding antiwar placards, as color guards from Massachusetts military units and JROTC bands from across the state filed into Government Center for a ceremony, sponsored by the American Legion, to honor veterans after the parade. Some protesters wore gags, which they later said symbolized the fact that, while they were permitted to march in the parade, they were prevented from carrying signs opposing the war in Iraq.

“We were exercising our First Amendment rights,” said Winston Warfield of Dorchester, a member of the group. “The First Amendment protects free speech, even when you don’t agree with what’s being said.”

When Boston police asked the demonstrators to move from the front of the podium so that the Veterans Day services could continue, they refused. As the Boston Firemen’s Band played The Marine Hymn, several protesters were placed in plastic handcuffs and led away.

“Our free speech and civil rights are being abridged here,” said Nate Goldschlag, a Vietnam-era veteran who was among those standing in front of the podium. “We are veterans, too, and we should be allowed to express our opposition to this war.”

that is just fucking sad


CB

Seriously.

A protest without interrupting the event would have made the exact same impact, with no arrests.
(I bet people will argue otherwise)

Protest loudly, but without disrupting the event.

Because of their stance on the war. Why isn't the American Legion being excluded?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2260311

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2242878

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2263680&mesg_id=2263680

I think for me it's the cumulative effect of all these vets being censored when they should be embraced and honored.

but somehow I suspect that they feel they are the aggrieved party.