First Amendment Being Breached Nationwide?

According to Steve Watson,

Cindy Sheehan, who drew international attention when she camped outside President Bush's ranch to protest the Iraq war, was arrested again yesterday during a demonstration demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Sheehan and company were participating in a march to the US mission to the United Nations in order to deliver a petition with more than 60,000 signatures urging the "withdrawal of all troops and all foreign fighters from Iraq."

Ann Wright, a former U.S. Army colonel and U.S. diplomat, said in a statement issued by the Women Say No to War group that the U.S. Mission refused to send someone to meet with the women "whose lives and families have been shattered by this destructive and immoral war." The protesters refused to leave without delivering the petition, she said.

So the police arrested Miss Sheehan and three other women for "criminal trespassing".

Since when has standing outside a building in a peaceful protest been "criminal trespassing"?

It's important to note that she was also arrested for resisting arrest. That is probably what seperates her movement from the Civil Rights movement of the last century, but it still begs the question, "Why are so many American citizens being arrested for protesting?" After all, the first Amendment guarentees this right as long as it's peaceful.

Some other injustices listed in the article:

Earlier this year Cindy Sheehan was also arrested in the House gallery after refusing to cover up a T-shirt bearing an anti-war slogan before President Bush's State of the Union address.

Just as disturbing was the fact that, U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Florida, spoke on the House floor saying his wife, Beverly, had been "ordered to leave" the gallery during the speech for wearing a shirt that said, "Support Our Troops."

Cindy Sheehan was also arrested last September at a protest outside the White House for refusing to obey police orders to leave.

I would recommend that Sheehan begin not to resist arrest, like the Civil Rights Movement leaders of the last century, but still, it's shocking what the United States authorities are doing these days. As long as the protests don't get physical, and therefore stay peaceful, what's wrong with having them? According to the law, absolutely nothing. According to those in power right now, it would appear to be everything.

Step up. Take back your rights.