When people are rocking cop cars back and forth and smashing in windows or holding signs with profanity and cursing another human, I wonder what it is they really want by their actions. Vindication? Validation? I’m assuming they “just want to feel heard.” It’s hard to care about the message when the delivery of it is not executed well. Maybe it’s just me, but when the news of violent protests break out, I am more concerned about the safety of the people involved than the point they are trying to make.
We have a right to peacefully protest, as well as the right to free speech. All opinions are important and should be heard, but when protestors become violent, it makes it harder to hear their words and feelings when their not-so-peaceful actions are much louder.
I once wrote an article about a crowd of people protesting in front of a local Planned Parenthood. When I contacted the Planned Parenthood director of communications for a comment, she said Planned Parenthood supports every individual’s right to peacefully protest. "Peaceful" being the key word.
While the recent protests against GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump don't necessarily involve abortion, the current protests against him are not as peaceful as they should be. Whether a person is rallying against Donald Trump or any other candidate in the running, peaceful protests should be more of a focus point than the violence many bring.
Damaging property, looking like an animal and physically fighting someone with an opposing view doesn’t encourage me to think about their point of view. In fact, it makes me feel embarrassed our society feels like they have to mirror a baboon to attempt to make their point. It also ruins it for everyone else who is there to peacefully share their point of view.
No matter who or what is the cause of a violent protest, physically fighting others, damaging property and spreading hate in our nation will never be the right answer in making our voices heard. If we want to be heard, there is a way in which we can be peaceful. Maybe then the nation’s people will listen.
