Is it right to charge PETA members with assault???

Question

If a PETA member sees someone wearing what they think might be a genuine fur coat, and that PETA member spray paints all over said coat, legally that PETA member can be charged with assault. Is that right? Or does that PETA member have the right to express their beliefs???

Does one supercede the other???

Answer 1

One can only legally express one's belief if it does no harm to another. Besides that, the FBI considers PETA to be a domestic terrorist organization so under the new Homeland Security laws, it could be construed as more then assault. It could be considered a hate crime too.

Answer 2

Being a member of a special interest group, no matter how just their cause is, does not place one above the laws of government. As long as a person legally has something in their possesion or owns something no one else has a right to damage or destroy it. Also spray painting something that someone is wearing could endanger their health and should be considered assault.
The idea of " the end justifies the means" is the rationale of the fur industry for creating "luxury" clothing and should not be so readily adopted by it's opponents. Peaceful protest and getting the truth out can work for social change although the process can be frustrating and slow,

Answer 3

Although I'm an animal rights activist I think PETA goes a little overboard, as do many other extreme animal activists - I don't think it's 'okay' in the eyes of the law to spray paint someone else's property, and a fur coat is just that - they paid money for it, it's theirs.

PETA has the right to express their opinions but they should do so in a cilivized and respectful manner.. This childish act will not do any good.

However, I think anyone who proudly wears the skin of another animal that has been brutally tortured and skinned alive should 'reap what they've sown' in a way.

Answer 4

No, the PETA person has the right to say something (at a respectful distance) if they wish, to the fur wearing person, but not to physically assault them and destroy their property.

In my opinion, PETA and other activist groups lose a lot of support by using tactics like this. It is violent and really immature.
There are better ways to get points across.
I

Answer 5

Yes... absolutely charge them. There is an old saying "your freedom to swing your arms around ends where my nose begins"
One other thing.... I've never heard of a PETA member spraying paint on the leather jacket of a Hell's Angel....

Answer 6

I stay merely some blocks from those loonies and that i will not be able to for the life of me understand why toddler shielding centers does not step in. those damaging youngsters pressured to stand on the line corner retaining indicators extra advantageous than they're interior the warm solar for hours. the only explanation i will arise with is that in the time of Kansas in case you fly decrease than the banner of christian then the regulation does not persist with to you. i could document a criticism different than i could probable finally end up being charged with the crime of not being christian or some such.

Answer 7

yes, they can express their ideas but not spray paint all over the person. although i love animals those peta people cross the line sometimes, they are outrageous!

Answer 8

Yes. It is assault. Freedom of security in ones person, supercedes freedom of expression.

Answer 9

It's a short simple answer:

You have the right to freedom of speech until it harms another. (and by harm, I DO NOT mean offend, I actually mean hurt, damage property, etc.)

Answer 10

Freedom of speech doesn't give you the right to assault someone or damage their property, skippy.