The Cost of Liberty: Constant Vigilance
The Alliance Defense Fund has a disturbing news story at their website. As a consequence of what took place a complaint was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division. It is identified as Swagler v. Harford County. This link provides details.
The complaint resulted from the arrest, jailing and strip searching of 18 individuals engaged in a peaceful public demonstration against abortion. That activity is protected by the First Amendment which guarantees both freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Also of concern, to those of us who are not focused on selective enforcement of constitutional rights, was a refusal on the part of authorities to allow contact between the detainees and attorneys Steve Peroutka and Scott Whiteman during the evening of the date on which they were arrested.
Authorities released the 18 individuals after opting not to pursue charges against them. Charges included loitering, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order. A permit offense was not even among the charges.
Trampling civil liberties should always be a concern to those valuing freedom even when the beliefs of protestors are at odds with their own. We have tolerated demonstrations by Ku Klux Klan members as well as American Nazis yet young unarmed and non-threatening anti-abortion protestors are treated like criminals.
This is not the first incident of this type and makes one wonder what motivates authorities to behave like they did. Stereotyping probably plays a significant role. Leftist extremists have successfully demonized anti-abortionists. Bigotry is encouraged when perceptions of others are clouded by vicious stereotyping. Stereotyping does not have to be racial in nature. It can target beliefs. The killing fields of Cambodia testify to this abuse. The need for Americans to be vigilant in defense of liberty exists today as it has during the course of our history.
The complaint resulted from the arrest, jailing and strip searching of 18 individuals engaged in a peaceful public demonstration against abortion. That activity is protected by the First Amendment which guarantees both freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Also of concern, to those of us who are not focused on selective enforcement of constitutional rights, was a refusal on the part of authorities to allow contact between the detainees and attorneys Steve Peroutka and Scott Whiteman during the evening of the date on which they were arrested.
Authorities released the 18 individuals after opting not to pursue charges against them. Charges included loitering, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order. A permit offense was not even among the charges.
Trampling civil liberties should always be a concern to those valuing freedom even when the beliefs of protestors are at odds with their own. We have tolerated demonstrations by Ku Klux Klan members as well as American Nazis yet young unarmed and non-threatening anti-abortion protestors are treated like criminals.
This is not the first incident of this type and makes one wonder what motivates authorities to behave like they did. Stereotyping probably plays a significant role. Leftist extremists have successfully demonized anti-abortionists. Bigotry is encouraged when perceptions of others are clouded by vicious stereotyping. Stereotyping does not have to be racial in nature. It can target beliefs. The killing fields of Cambodia testify to this abuse. The need for Americans to be vigilant in defense of liberty exists today as it has during the course of our history.
Labels: Constitutional Rights
posted by Paul at 9:50 AM
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