US jails human rights activists

Ferre · 01-30-2007, 06:24 PM

US joins China, Former USSR, former DDR, North Korea, Iran, and other countries that jail human rights activists.

http://pressesc.com/01170120374_us_j...ghts_activists

IslaScotts · 01-30-2007, 09:35 PM

Despite the fact that I agree with their protest they were wrong once they stepped on that property. Because of this same law.. it prevented pro-lifers coming within 50 feet of me when I got both of my abortions. You see they have to do it on public property, so they could only yell at me from the side walk I wasn't in danger because they could not step on the property. I know you think it is unfair that they get jailed, but that law has saved lives from angry protesters (even though these seemed peaceful enough.) Just because you feel justified in breaking a law, it doesn't mean a judge will sympathize with you. It was government property and you can't step on it unless they say it is ok, same with my property.. I don't have to let people trespass on it if I don't want to. My reason could be that the green chicken told me so... it doesn't matter. It's called PRIVATE property for a reason.

**South** · 01-31-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferre

US joins China, Former USSR, former DDR, North Korea, Iran, and other countries that jail human rights activists.

http://pressesc.com/01170120374_us_j...ghts_activists

People have a human right to trespass on military property? How's that?

Ferre · 01-31-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by South

People have a human right to trespass on military property? How's that?

For one, the people own the military. The military is founded and exists only to protect 'the people'.
Second, this was a protest march by people against 'the School of the Americas, a complex that is known for training terrorists from all over the world and it has a fence around it. Everywhere else in the world the police just forms a barrier in front of a gate and demonstrators can not enter, police can also use water canons and tear gas to make clear that any property can not be entered.
Third, only in totalitarian regimes they put people in jails for demonstrating towards an institute that they, in fact, own and is only existing to serve 'the people'. Weird that the concept of the military in service of the people has been totally flushed down the drain in some countries, but it is what makes the difference between a true free democracy and a dictatorial regime.
Even when someone is sued for trespassing during a demonstration, jailtime is not a civilized 'punishment' in such a case, sivilized democratic countries let those people pay some sort of fine instead, taking people's freedom because they are use their democratic rights is not the way to handle a strong voice from the community, which a demonstration is.

Ferre · 01-31-2007, 03:28 PM

Not fishy?

Quote:

Since protests against the SOA/WHINSEC began more than a decade ago, 211 people have served a total of over 92 years in prison for engaging in nonviolent resistance in a broad-based campaign to close the school.

**South** · 01-31-2007, 04:40 PM

The law makes allowances for the process of peaceful demonstration. Even when demonstrating, people have to obey the law. Yes, the military is owned by the people, but there are restrictions to access for obvious reasons. The people own the whitehouse as well, but you can't demonstrate up and down the halls and around the oval office.

The law is the law. It doesn't change because someone is trying to make a point. If it did, if different rules applied, it would certainy be abused and law would hold no meaning at all.

Like IslaScotts said. I'm viciously opposed to abortion, you know that. If you can't bring proper enforcement to those trespassing on a military base, then how do you impose proper penalty on me if I illegally intimidate her by violating the space the law has allowed her? (not that I would, that kind of thing is damaging to any group) We're both just demonstrating, attempting to get our views heard and responded to.

ewomack · 02-01-2007, 11:56 AM

Civil Disobedience. A long standing American tradition. When Thoreau refused to pay taxes as a protest against the Mexican-American war, he went to jail.

When Ralph Waldo Emerson visited him, he looked at Thoreau through the bars and said "What are you doing in there?"

Thoreau responded "What are you doing out there?"

hyperspace · 05-09-2007, 05:09 PM

It is clearly a mistake to be putting freedom-loving people inside jails. Generally, those freedom-loving peoples like fresh air, ability to grow hair to any length, baggy loose fitting clothing, and camping. If anything should be done, freedom-loving people should be barred from indoor spaces - shopping malls, office towers, in strict cases even enclosed ATM areas. It would make more sense.