Civil rights group condemns move to block Trump inauguration protests

[elmac]

Source: france24

A civil rights group on Wednesday urged US officials to free up Washington landmarks for thousands of people planning protests around the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump.

The Washington-based Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF) said the National Park Service (NPS) had handed over control of sites such as the Lincoln Memorial to the private committee overseeing Trump’s inauguration “weeks” before and after the ceremony on January 20.

That move has left at least a dozen protest groups without prime venues, a violation of Americans’ constitutional rights, fund officials said. The Lincoln Memorial is a symbolic reminder as the site of 1960s protests for civil rights and against the Vietnam War.

The National Park Service “has done a massive land grab inhibiting all those who want to exercise their right to free speech,” Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, a constitutional rights lawyer and PCJF executive director, said at a news conference.

Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20161209-usa-trump-inauguration-protests-civil-rights-group-condemn-womens-march-washington

[guillaumeb]

1. The GOP is all about the visuals.

When Bush was President "free speech" zones were generally established far from anywhere that the television cameras and the President-select would be.

[elmac]

2. Yes, after the 2001 mass demonstration

that shut down Bush's inaugural parade, throwing eggs, ect, the fascists figured out how to squelch free speech. We need to use the old military tactic "hit em where they ain't "

[guillaumeb]

3. I expect worse under Trump.

His followers are angrier and already prone to violence.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Watch for Fox News to amp this issue to no end.

Trump will call a state of emergency bringing in a National Guard Units. He has threatened to do this to any and all Protesters.

[elmac]

5. It won't take much to spark a nation wide riot

something so big that the national guard won't be able to contain. Sniffles best use care.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Day of rage much like Greece.

Could happen.

[bdamomma]

11. if it is meant to be it will happen

we have domestic terrorists and we are protecting our country.

[Wellstone ruled]

12. As the day goes forward,

it appears the real dynamics of this new Administration are in front of us and it looks very dire for the working poor and the Seniors. Mostly the Trump Voters. And as the info leaks to these groups,my hunch is we will see the pitchforks and torches.

[bdamomma]

13. let me ask you

if a confrontation does take place with us free thinking people and the trump denial supporters will we exhibit force? or I wonder if all those vets who helped the water protectors and were successful will they lend their support to us?

[Wellstone ruled]

17. That will depend on the City.

The folks that went to Dakota were not from the Rightwingastan areas of our Country. Again,the ones who see their lives affected financially,they will be our Allies.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. The more they squelch protests

the bigger the Resistance will grow

It's just the way it works in freedom loving America

This coup will not last in the long run

[yuiyoshida]

8. constitutional rights? What constitutional rights?

Oh you mean that thing only REPUBLICANS have......naw, naw, they don't want you near his highness's ceremony, cause you might ruin his perfect moment! GOD FORBID!

[haele]

9. Bad tactics. There are millions of very angry, very frightened protesters determined to march.

The protesters aren't going to go away just becuase there are no longer permits. And it's already a known fact that the Media ignores mass protests if those protests are for something that benefits the People instead of the Corporations and lobbyists.

"Occupy what? bunch of entitled millenials who can't even wipe their own butts without trying to be hip and cutting edge..."

Until the tear gas and rubber bullets start hitting cable and network news reporters and their crew that become trapped between the Capitol/Park police - and GOP mercenaries - and the marchers. Until a small bunch of yahoo Trumpettes decide to answer protesters with "2nd Amendment" solutions, and a bunch of women and kids get seriously wounded or killed in the confusion on live TV.

If the GOP was worried about optics, then they shouldn't be setting themselves up to be using Nixonian tactics.

I remember being a worried seven-year-old watching the DC and NY protests on the TV, watching people falling and running away from tear gas canisters and police in riot gear in grainy black and white. I remember being woke up at four in the morning by a huge explosion that cracked my bedroom window, as we only lived a mile from the Administration building at the University of Washington when it was bombed by anti-war radicals. I remember Kent State.

From the evidence I can find, the divisions in this country, though the radicals on each side are loud and obnoxious, are not as evenly split as the GOP thinks it is living in their little reality bubbles - in fact, it's very lopsided, more like a 20/80 division. This nation moves like an old oil tanker or an aircraft carrier; it takes a lot of time and push to get past the inertia and change course. The GOP has nothing tangible or long-lasting to offer more than maybe 10% of the population. They're losing, not gaining, and they have to depend on promoting that 10% and increase the suppressing of any dissent to make it seem as if they have some sort of mandate to rule.
No matter how hard they try to hide the fascism, eventually, they will go too far. It's just a matter of how much pain people are willing to accept.

Haele

[YOHABLO]

10. I don't think anyone protesting is at all frightened.

[haele]

15. Fightened of their future - determined to have a voice before being silenced.

I'll admit to a sinking fear for not only personal futures of myself, my family and friends, but for the future of my country, for the maintenance of what progress we have made over the decades.

Fear is only the mind-killer when you let it overwhelm you.
It's also a primary lizard-brain goad to action when you control it, it can steel resolve, it can keep you going so long as you can keep calm and think.

Haele

[McCamy Taylor]

14. The backlash against the backlash. Turn out in DC for the protest will now double.

Trump doesn't know much about politics does he?

[Kathy M]

18. Yes ...... The more voices that are heard from all parts of the

Democratic party ( democrats , independents , progressives ) now the better turnout and message .......

[McKim]

16. I am frightened as a 71 year old asthmatic

I am frightened of tear gas to go down to our local demonstration Saturday in Portland Oregon but I am going because I am even more frightened by the Trump "Administration". This is the grand chance we have to stand up. If not now, when, and if not me, who? it's my duty to build a better world. It is riskier to stay home and passively accept fascism.