Virginia setting limits on first amendment rights

Katherine Johnson

Columnist

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin announced on April 9 that she would drop all charges against the Capitol protesters if they serve 25 hours of community service, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. The protesters outside the Capitol opposed a bill that would require all women to receive an ultrasound before an abortion, which was signed into law a few days later.

Originally those who were arrested faced unlawful assembly and trespassing charges. The unlawful-assembly charge was dropped since it would be hard to prove.

Those that were peacefully protesting, however, should never have been arrested or charged with any crime since they were exercising their first amendment rights. They shouldn’t be forced to serve any community service.

If the protest had become violent, then this would be a different story. But the police came out in riot gear to control a crowd of unarmed, peaceable men and women.

What does this behavior say about our government?

A founding principle of this country is the right to question and petition our government. Without it, we wouldn’t be a democracy. If every peaceful protester is arrested for standing up for what they believe in, we’re losing the essence of our country and, worse, losing first amendment rights.

Citizens have every right to be outside of their Capitol, especially when they’re peacefully voicing their opinions on legislation. The police had no warranted reason to arrive with riot gear and haul people off the Capitol steps.

These arrests send the message that opposition to proposed legislation will not be tolerated. It seems as if the police realized they were wrong but didn’t want to admit it. Instead of issuing an apology, they made it seem like they were letting everyone off the hook with some community service.

Usually community service is issued to those who violate parole or commit a misdemeanor crime, not peaceful protesters. The city is almost bullying the protesters into accepting these terms just to avoid criminal charges.

Most television viewers are familiar with the protests and riots last year that occurred in countries such as Egypt. When images of those protesters are compared to that of those who were at the Capitol, no resemblance can be seen. Richmond citizens should actively question why the police took such drastic measures.

The most serious violation that occurred from the protest wasn’t trespassing or unlawful assembly, but the violation of a citizen’s first amendment rights. Virginians should be alarmed that such steps were taken to deter peaceful protesters, and perhaps voice their opinions in order to avoid further violations of an individual’s rights.