Why do you need a permit to protest?

[Wakita_OK_Boy 0]

 Hi there. I am just wondering why you need a permit to protest the Government on a corner. When it is in the Constituiton?

[Duke87 1,070]

You need a permit basically just as a matter of keeping things orderly. The cops need to know ahead of time so they can patrol the scene, and it needs to be made sure that you're not getting in anyone's way. You can't just suddenly mob a location with the appropriate authorities not being aware ahead of time and thus not being able to manage it.

That said, you do have a constitutional right to organize peacefully, and so you shouldn't be able to be denied a permit unless what you're planning is somehow disruptive. You can go to court over it if you feel you are wrongfully denied.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Very true.  I don't think it is a matter of the constitution but of municipal by-laws.  Large assemblies need to be policed, and it isn't fair to your protectors to just show up without notice.  You also need a parade permit if you intend to do anything like move down a public street or, perhaps, do something in a public park.  Freedom has rules of order, and is not free.

[Loney 22]

Permits also allow the police to help protect the protestors from possibly violent counter-protestors. If you are going to stage a Holocaust awarness parade in the middle of an area dominated by pro-nazi people who denies the Holocaust and hate anyone who doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes, there might be a very violent clash without any police officers around.

[s.i.X 13]

You shouldn't need one if you're just doing a "sandwich board with a crazy slogan" type protest. Might I suggest the phrase, "Barack Obama: Half Bread Muslin"?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: Loney

Permits also allow the police to help protect the protestors from possibly violent counter-protestors. If you are going to stage a Holocaust awarness parade in the middle of an area dominated by pro-nazi people who denies the Holocaust and hate anyone who doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes, there might be a very violent clash without any police officers around.

quote>

If you should happen upon such a bunch of fascists, send them to Canada, our jails could use some new meat.

[Loney 22]

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: Loney

Permits also allow the police to help protect the protestors from possibly violent counter-protestors. If you are going to stage a Holocaust awarness parade in the middle of an area dominated by pro-nazi people who denies the Holocaust and hate anyone who doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes, there might be a very violent clash without any police officers around.

quote>

If you should happen upon such a bunch of fascists, send them to Canada, our jails could use some new meat.

quote>

Throwing them when they did nothing illegal into another country is not allowed by US's laws. In fact, some of them will try and sue their way out of prison by hiring armies of lawyers.

[Meastro444 1]

Originally posted by: Loney

Originally posted by: A Nonny Moose

Originally posted by: Loney

Permits also allow the police to help protect the protestors from possibly violent counter-protestors. If you are going to stage a Holocaust awarness parade in the middle of an area dominated by pro-nazi people who denies the Holocaust and hate anyone who doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes, there might be a very violent clash without any police officers around.

quote>

If you should happen upon such a bunch of fascists, send them to Canada, our jails could use some new meat.

quote>

Throwing them when they did nothing illegal into another country is not allowed by US's laws. In fact, some of them will try and sue their way out of prison by hiring armies of lawyers.

quote>

Have you ever heard of sarcasm?

[SomeRandomAmerican 5]

I believe its to help prevent the Nazis from trying to march through Skokie again.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I was only being somewhat sarcastic.  Professed Nazis in Canada are subject to our laws against hate, so that if they do any of the things they profess or carry out any of their principles in public, they will wind up in the hoosegow.  If they aren't Canadian citizens, we will deport them, preferably to Israel.