As I write, our country grapples with the potential indictment of former President Trump by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. Support Trump or not, it’s hard to deny that we are living in unprecedented times. His impending arrest and his call for people to “protest, protest, protest” has ignited a firestorm of emotions across the country. Moments after the indictment news leaked, social media exploded with conservative voices. Not surprisingly, the vast majority decried the indictment as political persecution by a weaponized justice system, and rightfully so. But the shocker was the tsunami of fellow citizens warning each other not to peacefully assemble and protest, a First Amendment right, for fear of retribution:
“It’s a trap, just like J6!!!”
“It’s going to be J6 all over again! SET UP!”
“Your friend texting you to organize a protest? He’s is a fed. Stay home!”
Prominent voices on the Right joined in:
“I don’t think people should protest this, no.” (Kevin McCarthy)
“The constitution is a piece of paper, not a shield. You don’t have First Amendment protections in blue cities. Sorry. Welcome to the real world.” (Jesse Kelly)
The shadow of January 6th looms large and frightening. According to a Truth Social poll highlighted by Gateway Pundit, “85% of Trump supporters think protesting against [his] arrest is another ‘J6-style trap’.” It’s clear we now believe that exercising our Constitutional right to peacefully protest the weaponization of our judicial system paints a target on our back for that same weaponized system. And with media already warning of “deadly riots” by “domestic terrorists,” this belief is hard to dispute. So yes, if the goal is short-term safety, there are certainly legitimate reasons to want to keep our heads down.
But doing so means we’re giving in to fear and intimidation and voluntarily giving up our God-given rights. Ever wonder why the First Amendment of our Constitution specifically protects the “right of the people to peaceably assemble?” Because peaceful assembly gives meaning to our other rights. Individual citizens have limited ability to “petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” but large groups protesting against injustice do. That’s how change is created. It’s the greatest power we have. As MLK said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
I’ll close by asking you to remember COVID. How fear and intimidation drove the vast majority to comply with lockdowns, masking, and vaccines, in exchange for the illusion of safety. Our compliance gave the government dictatorial power over us and our rights were trampled. Being bullied out of using your right to peaceful assembly is compliance, once again, and we all know where it leads.
Protesting against government tyranny is not only your right—it’s your duty as an American. We must use our rights, or we will lose our rights. As Ben Franklin eloquently said, “Any society that will give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” ◆
