Comment on Doesn't the need for a permit fundamentally contradict the US's ideals of free speech?
NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world 6 months ago
The city will pretty much grant all permits
Yes, and they have to, because of your free speech.
so it’s more of a polite agreement in most cases
No, it is meant for serious. If there are cases where they don’t give a permit, they need to have very serious reason.
But there is more: you asking for the permit is important in itself, so the administration can take the needed action for public order, e.g traffic regulation etc. So you have to tell them where you want to do it and how many people you expect to participate.
And when you want to demonstrate about controversial topics, they have to send even more police there for your safety. At least in my country that is legally required. The police helps to protect your right of free speech.
You’re giving the government a tool they could expand later to oppress you further
I don’t know why you think so. That would be a state without free speech then.
You can inform the city without requiring approval.
they have to send even more police there for your safety.
I don’t know which country you live in but I can’t recall a single protest in the US where the police have protected the protestors from others
They protect white supremacists all the time.
I haven’t really followed most protests in a while, but I do recall more than a few occasions where there was a particularly hot-button issue being protested by two separate groups in close proximity and the police were there solely to keep the different protesting groups away from each other. I seem to remember that they (the protesting groups) had gotten a bit rowdy but that not much came of it.
The riot squads committing war crimes against civilians stick out in part because of the brutality but also because of the relative rarity of it.
I trust this all even less now.
Goodie@lemmy.world 6 months ago
This is pretty much it.
The city knows about your protest so they can plan accordingly.
They may also make requests of your protest, eg, could you self organise your own traffic wardens to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Godnroc@lemmy.world 6 months ago
Exactly! Peaceful protests are allowed and encouraged. Demonstrations, speeches, picket signs, marches, sit-ins, etc.
Riots on the other hand are a problem. Burning cars, breaking windows, stealing from unrelated businesses, hurting people, etc.