Letter to the Editor: May Day violence

Isn't there a way for citizens to control the violent aspects of a legitimate protest?

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Ashli Blow

Ashli Blow May 3, 2012

May 3, 2012

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          <article>
            <header>
              <hgroup>
                <h1>Letter to the Editor: May Day violence</h1>
                <h2><p>Isn't there a way for citizens to control the violent aspects of a legitimate protest?</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/ashli-blow/">Ashli Blow</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">May 3, 2012</time></p>
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            <p>Isn't there a way for citizens to control the violent aspects of a legitimate protest?</p><p><strong>I am sick and tired</strong> of a small minority who think damaging private property is an allowable expression of their feelings. Yes, they have a right to free speech. But their expression of their rights impacts the rights of others ie the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.</p><p>I fail to understand why a society has to put up with this. I recognize this is not just a Seattle problem but appears to be worldwide. Two wrongs do not make a right. Therefore, as much as I would like to see some good, old-fashioned frontier justice, I cannot condone vigilante-type action.</p><p>But I wonder what would happen if the citizens stood up to these people. An example is the motorcycle clubs who stood up to that church group who protested at dead soldiers' funerals.</p>
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Isn't there a way for citizens to control the violent aspects of a legitimate protest?

I am sick and tired of a small minority who think damaging private property is an allowable expression of their feelings. Yes, they have a right to free speech. But their expression of their rights impacts the rights of others ie the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I fail to understand why a society has to put up with this. I recognize this is not just a Seattle problem but appears to be worldwide. Two wrongs do not make a right. Therefore, as much as I would like to see some good, old-fashioned frontier justice, I cannot condone vigilante-type action.

But I wonder what would happen if the citizens stood up to these people. An example is the motorcycle clubs who stood up to that church group who protested at dead soldiers' funerals.

By Ashli Blow

Ashli Blow is a Seattle-based freelance writer who talks with people — in places from urban watersheds to remote wildernesses — about the environment around them. She’s been working in journal