The quote in the story doesn't say who told whom, it says, "We've been told now that they're doing it as a deterrent," spokesman Daniel Kessler said. The only people saying it's being done as a deterrent are the protesters. But even if the police did tell them that, well, duh. And it's not to deter "future participants" in the protest, it's to deter them from violating the permit which they agreed to, which was they can march — but not stand or sit — on the sidewalk in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue..
Incommoding. This is blocking vehicle or pedestrian traffic on the streets, sidewalks, and other walkways. This is by far the most common charge we see when protestors sit down in the street. Sidewalks are trickier because you generally have a right to engage in free speech activities on the public sidewalks; but if you so clog them that no one else can use the sidewalks, you might be charged with incommoding. Maximum penalty is a $250 fine and/or 90 days in jail. DC Code § 22-1107.
Federal buildings often have special rules. Increasingly in recent years, the government has begun constructing barricades around federal buildings that may enclose much or all of the sidewalk. We are unaware of any prosecutions to date for demonstrating within these barriers, and the constitutionality of limiting speech there is highly questionable. Recently, two courts declared a law banning expressive activity in front of the US Capitol without a permit unconstitutional, refusing to convict a protestor and issuing an injunction against enforcing that law. Still, the government justifies impositions on protest and other activity as needed to combat terrorism, and the courts have often looked the other way when the First Amendment gets trod on by "national security
Exercising Your Rights Of Political Protest In Washington, DC
“You have to remain in motion. You have to keep walking when you are in the center portion of the White House sidewalk,” said Sgt. David Schlosser, a spokesman for the U.S. Park Police. “You can’t stop, sit down, lay down, that type of thing.”.
where did you get this at ?? because i didnt see it in the 2 articles i read or when i did a web sreach .
and from what i post . and what you say here . is differant . going by that information i say
Sgt. David Schlosser is makeing the rules up as he goes
Their rights weren't infringed (or invaded). They don't have to right to agree to the conditions of a permit and then violate those conditions, peaceably or not. .
no body has a right to deter future participants . unless they are known going to start troble . but alittle step over the line is that a reason to deter future participants .
SO IT IS OK FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP OVER THE LINE BUT NOBODY ELSE CAN .
do i think the protesters step over the line knowingly . NO because are the lines painted on the side walk . your line of center may be differant then mine .
Everybody knows you can't have a sit-in or a stationary protest on the sidewalk directly in front of the White House. Been that way for decades, ever since people tried camping out there during the Vietnam War protests..
What they did with BART, even though you can understand why they'd want to do it, was completely and totally outrageous, and heads should be rolling down the tracks for it.
whos heads ??
i do agree if the protesters are causeing problems arrest them .
but if they are told not to cross that line on the ground if you do you will be hanged . i think that is BS .
just like any protest .we all do need to listen them . yes same are wakos . but same are not . and do have some truth in what they say .
so if they protest about closeing yellowstone so a oil company is going to level it all off to drill for oil . are you willing to lose yellow stone . ??(this is a example )
