Is it legal to peacefully protest? If so, then why do police harass,abuse and arrest protesters?

Answer 1

Good answers so far. I would add the human element to it.
(1) Protestors are often protesting against the government. The police symbolize the enforcement power of the government. So, in general, the police officers aren't going to like the protestor's message, and the protestor isn't going to like the position of authority of the police.
(2) Both sides can get heated; protestors oftentimes start by insulting police officers (although the opposite can happen, too). And one or two irrational people on both sides can cause things to flame up quickly.
(3) In some places, people don't like the message, so police are ordered to make the crowd dispurse. In other places, police are scared of people in groups getting in a frenzy, believe it's no longer peaceful, and take measures to escallate. In still other places, protestors intentionally provoke officers to use violence and/or put people under arrest (so they can be seen as martyrs and the officers can be seen as violent thugs). In other places, there are officers who are bullies--they were bullies in school, couldn't do anything else, so decided to become "official bullies." And a bunch of hippie kids asking for peace and harmony are just askin for a whoopin.

Answer 2

You have a couple of good answers already. Protests usually require permits and the conditions of those permits need to be obeyed. Generally the protest needs to be on public land, not private, and not blocking any access points. This is the most common form of arrest, blocking access. The Constitution guarantees the right of assembly and expression but those rights have to be balanced against the rights of everybody else not to be disturbed in the carrying on of their own daily rights to work and move around in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. General rule, your rights cannot interfere with the rights of others. If the protest violates that rule, then expect to be arrested.

Answer 3

They don't harrass, abuse, or arrest them unless they breka the law. And when they do if the protesters would just go with the cops peacefully they wouldn't abuse or harress you. Before making a protest make sure you have all the permits that you need and make sure that where you protesting is the only place you protest at. And also make sure you know who is going to protest with you bcause all the harrassment , abuse and arrests from tehpolice department is mostly from trouble makers in the group. Who think just because they got a permit they can do anything. SO if your going to protest and have all the permits and still have cops abuse and harrass you get in on videoa nd go to the media and suit them. But if they tell you to disburst, disburst.

Answer 4

Those so call peacefully protest violate the law and when police remind them of that normally the protest think if it is peace they are given freedom do whatever they want.

Answer 5

Yes it is legal, some places you need a permit though and even then the police do tend to hassle you. Thought the protest were covered under freedom of speech but they always have tried to stop or censure them.

Answer 6

The biggest mistake most protesters commit, is blocking pathways for the public and blocking door ways, and any interruption of traffic, and do not incite the public. Yes, even in protests, you cannot cause any inconvencies to the public and workers, and anyone having nothing to do with the protest..And when your time is up, then leave, not hang around and cause any problems.

Answer 7

It is as long as you have a permit to protest... and do not go beyond the scope of that permit. such as. Your leagally applied for and approved permit allows you to protest no closer than 200 feet from the front doors of the supreme court from the hours of 9am until 2pm, you will be allowed to carry signs and use a loudspeaker for voice amplication. at 205 pm you are then protesting illegally and can be arrested... you get 50 feet from the doors you are protesting illegally and can be arrested..

Answer 8

Because most protesters think that freedom of speech gives them the right to harass and interfere with the rights of other people.

Answer 9

It is legal to peacefully protest.

It is not legal to block the path of someone else or prevent them from doing what they need to do WHILE you are protesting.

Police officers are often called upon to remove protesters who are blocking entrances to buildings, blocking roads or otherwise preventing everyone else from going about their business.

The key here is one person's right to protest ends the second it interferes with someone else's rights.

Just as I have the right to swing my arm, but the right to swing my arm ends when it hurts someone. I can swing all I want---but I can't hit anyone or threaten anyone with my arm.

Answer 10

Its legal in Vegas but other then that I dont know