Let's Examine Freedom of Assembly, shall we?
This is a great link. The constitution gives us rights, not rights we get "when convenient".
The First Amendment prohibits government from abridging "the right of the people peaceably to assemble." People are entitled to assemble and to speak and be heard, as long as they remain nonviolent. This basic freedom ensures that the spirit of the First Amendment survives and thrives even when the majority of citizens would rather suppress expression it finds offensive. This right is guaranteed against unreasonable federal and state restrictions and interference. However, local authorities may properly require that large rallies and parades be held only after the police department has been notified. They may also require permits, as long as the requirement is a general one that all organizations must meet.
We are the 99%
Who are the OWS protestors? They are the 99%. We are the 99%.
The message American society, under the helm of our politicians in DC, has gotten for 30 years boils down to this:
"I followed the rules. I work. I am not a jail bird. My salary, my wage, hasn't changed in 30 years. Banks, upper management, corporations, have watched their income balloon to nearly triple of what they were making when I entered the work pool. Yet my wage, my salary, has been increased in PENNIES during that time. I'm not a complainer, I'm not a hater. I don't hate rich people. Why do the incredibly wealthy owners of corporations, and the upper management that operates them and sets policy, refuse to share the wealth they have gained by MY contribution to their daily operations? I work the machines. I drive their transports. I monitor their processes and make sure it ALL WORKS FOR THEM. Where is the gratitutde?
The 1% Have Plans
It took 30 years of regressive policies to create an income divide in this country that is so great we can no longer accept it as a normal state of affairs. Our salaries and wages have been held down and even incremental adjustments upward have been resisted by the corporatists and politicians with near rabid fervor. At the same time, management and owners have watched their incomes nearly TRIPLE in the same time frame. "Trickle down" is a failure - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Low taxes on the rich and corporations - another failure.
Police Murder OWS Protestor
It didn't take long. It finally happened. Police have killed a demonstrator.
During the Nov. 15 attack on lawfully protesting Seattle OWS demonstrators, police saw fit to kick and strike a pregnant Jennifer Fox, 19, and follow it up with a chemical attack just to make things "fun".