Lets say I wanted to protest a ferry docking in a nearby port in Maui (the superferry)....
Why am I not allowed to carry out my peaceful protest on the dock? Oh yeah, they have closed off the area and surrounding harbor in case of "protest action and civil disobedience."
Ummm, this is censoring you guys and its against the constitution.
When is the revolution again?
2007-12-03 06:08:29 · 6 answers · asked by Phil M 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
The state, local and federal govt's own this doc.
Its completely public property.
2007-12-03 06:12:58 · update #1
"everbodys right to put up with you"
excuse me? No, thats not in the constitution, you can stay home if you dont want to deal with people.
No dice my friend, this is clearly (IMO) an example of censorsing the public.
2007-12-03 06:15:12 · update #2
Its none of those, this is a port used by local fishermen, paddlers (whatever those are) and other small boaters (article speak).
They are closing off protesting around this area for one sole reason, they protested on another island and they kept the fairy from docking there.
So they are going to send people to prison for 10 years if they try it in Maui.
Am I the only one who sees this as a problem (the actual issue of protest areas for arbitrarial reasons)?
2007-12-03 06:21:57 · update #3
tyranusX: I have been some what aware of our govt doing this for Bush when he gives a speech (no dissent or you will be throw in jail) and it makes me wonder.....
If we made it illegal to protest abortion clinics...would people finally start caring?
2007-12-03 06:25:30 · update #4
Mark, they are restricting this protest to make sure that a similar event does not happen.
It hasn't happened, there isn't any credible proof that its being planned, etc.
Its thought control.
2007-12-03 06:52:59 · update #5
Protesters have "blocked" the ferry from a different harbor and dock on a different island.
This is a different group of people involved with this protest.
I understand secuirty and safety, but they are severly limiting the protesters to a location that is out of the way (it would be like advertising for McD's at a french restaurant) and the fines and prison terms for offenders is quite drastic....10 years prison term for protesting outside this zone.
I mean in all honesty, how much did the superferry owners pay for this kind of unhindered force?
2007-12-03 07:48:55 · update #6
I would ask who owns the dock? It is probably private property thus you don't have a right to be on someone else Private Property with out their permission.
Well if its public then you should be able to , but this is not usually the case. It is very very common today for governments to limit where you can protest , based on claims of safety issues. You would have to challenge it in court , good luck with that , as the courts have become shills for the government
Its done here in NY within a certain distances of city buildings, "for safety"
2007-12-03 06:11:58 · answer #1 · answered by TyranusXX 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If what you are saying is correct and previous protesters did not allow the dock to be used by the ferry, then yes, they have a right to limit protesting.
You seem to think protesting allows you to inhibit others from proceeding with their business.
Sorry, not the way it works.
Protesting peacefully means letting others know your opinion about something.
The moment you restrict others' movement or access to something or someone, it is "unlawful assembly", and a violation of their civil rights, not yours.
2007-12-03 14:49:33 · answer #2 · answered by Mark A 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mark A is correct. You can protest but only in a manner that does not interfere with other people.
Another issue is safety and security - can they trust your word that it will be a 'peaceful' protest? (Especially since protesters have attempted to block the ferry?)
2007-12-03 15:23:25 · answer #3 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even if it is government owned it could still be private propery. Like air force bases. why don't you just protest in from of the building as close as you can, or in the road so you block traffic.
2007-12-03 14:17:37 · answer #4 · answered by amt 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The owner of private property has the right to exclude anyone they want. You do not have the right to enter the dock.
By the way, to save you some time, you can't stand on my front lawn and protest either.
2007-12-03 14:12:03 · answer #5 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
They have to balance your right to protest against everybody else's right not to have to put up with you.
So, let you protest in the next county. You're still being allowed to peaceably assemble.
2007-12-03 14:13:20 · answer #6 · answered by Philip McCrevice 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋