2 Things We Learned in 2020 About Our Right to Protest

(ConservativeStar.com) – Social and political unrest swept through mostly Democratic-led cities for months in the wake of George Floyd’s death, a black man who died in police custody on May 25, 2020. So-called peaceful protests led by Antifa members and Black Lives Matter activists turned violent, leaving citizens panicked, homes and businesses burned out or otherwise destroyed.

In the wake of those riots, Americans came to grips with two realities regarding the right to protest. First, there are limitations to the right to free expression. Second, Republican lawmakers aren’t afraid to stand up and take the appropriate measures to shut down unlawful and violent protests.

For example, Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed to create new criminal offenses to prosecute anyone organizing or financing a violent, disorderly gathering.

Similarly, Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott suggested six new criminal offenses targeting anyone who hijacks a peaceful demonstration or aids and abets riots in any way.

Enough is enough. All Americans value free speech, but the right to protest does not include rioting and looting.

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