An Aussie *tries* to understand "1st Amendment Zones."

[punistation]

I'm seeing on CNN how the protesters are decrying these "1st Amendment Zones", and wailing about "Free Speech" and "America IS a 1st...", etc.


I see this on DU all the time, so this is nothing new. What confuses me is that from what I know, it's the DEMOCRATIC convention that's being protested.

So what's happening? Are the protestors Freepers, Naderlings, or the Undecideds?


If it's the Freepers chanting "America is a 1st Amendment Zone", why isn't DU being flooded with "How do YOU like it?" and "Now it's YOUR turn in da cage!" threads? Or are we attacking the cages too, to incite enough public outrage to get 'em torn down permanantly?

If it's Naderlings... well, I wasn't aware there were so many to warrant CNN coverage. These guys are a force to be reckoned with!

If it's the Undecided who opposed the Pro-War chant of both parties, and these guys have already reserved seats in the RNC cages... isn't the whole Cage Concept going to drive voters away from Kerry & Co, and re-inforce the "both parties are the same" mentality?


I'm just an Aussie gal who pops by DU every day, just so I can DU any poll I'm asked to participate in. I can't keep up with every thread. Can someone explain what's happening with this 'Cage' stuff? Did a strategist come up to Kerry and say "Now let me tell you why cages are a GOOD thing..." or something?


Kisses XXOOXX
Jen

[linazelle]

1. The "federal gov't." (BushCo) mandated high security at both conventions

As I've said here before, I think it's more a cover for the Republican convention's over-the-top security plans than an need by the Democrats. They want the Dems to be as heavily armored as they are to prevent embarassment.

Kerry should make it a point to take his message to the streets, to actually go to the "free speech" zones and reach across the barriers. Bush is too cowardly to do that.

[Bronco69]

4. That is an EXCELLENT idea!

"Kerry should make it a point to take his message to the streets, to actually go to the "free speech" zones and reach across the barriers. Bush is too cowardly to do that."

I think Kerry would gain a whole new respect if he went to the free speech zones and talked with the people who are protesting him. I'm sure a lot of them are there because that's what their mind numbed leaders told them to do. They hear day in and day out from the talking heads that Kerry is bad and bush* is good, but they don't know why. They just know that for some reason they should be standing in an area with a sign.

[Suspicious]

6. Here's the thing:

When you say, "the people who are protesting him", you are clearly misrepresenting the situation, and misunderstanding it, as well.

Aside from the rightwing groups who might be there (and so far, these people, if attending, are not getting any publicity), the main demonstration groups are not "protesting" Kerry, per se. They are demonstrating against certain issues - globalization, human rights abuses, civil rights abuses, war, etc. They will be demonstrating in NY at the RNC, as well.

[amber dog democrat]

2. Cages protect our freedoms

why do you hate America so much ?

I am really, really glad you posted these comments.
What a baffeling set of contradictions.
My guess is that there are major currents of change at play, and the curtailment of rowdy, un controlled messengers has more to to with supporting corproate interests no matter what stripe they are.

Coprorate power is all about dis enfranchising poeple - no matter what principles or standards they have.

[skooooo]

7. LMAO...

...Yes, we all need more cages so our freedoms will be better protected.

[Suspicious]

3. "So what's happening?"

Are the protestors Freepers, Naderlings, or the Undecideds?

It's likely the demonstrations will be comprised of some of all of the above. However, the voting practices of the individual demonstrators is not the driving force. Some of the groups are attending in order to address specific issues (Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights), and many of the groups probably include a fair number of people who will vote for Kerry (Veterans for Peace).

They have something to say, and they want their voices heard.

[Toots]

5. Who established the Free Speech Zones?

Was it the city of Boston, was it the Federal Government, was it the Democrats? Exactly who is the person that said we need a huge cage to cage Americans up into so we won't have to deal with them? That seems to me the place to start. My guess is it comes from Ridge. It is a fascist form of thinking so I just assume it is coming fromthe fascists. We should learn who is responsible so we can take our questions and/or complaints to the responsible party.

[eaprez]

8. They came about as part of the patriot act

I believe....as they were in effect before the Dept of Homeland Security came to be.

[Warpy]

9. Jen, the cages aren't about who the protestors might be

They're about how paranoid the government has become.

Protests in Boston have traditionally taken place on Boston Common, a huge collection of park and field in the center of the city, and few problems have ever been seen. In fact, the northeast corner of Boston Common is fondly known as Brimstone Corner, since that's where screwball preachers have set up shop since colonial days, and where people tout all sorts of oddball ideas today.

I know Boston, and I know Bostonians, and I doubt few will allow themselves to be confined in a double fenced area with mesh over the top. I'm expecting there to be trouble as the police, goaded by Homeland Security, try to round up everybody with a cleverly anti-Bush T-shirt and push them into that cage.

As for your question about the protestors, it'll be a mixed bag of antiwar people, anti-Bush people, and anarchists who are anti-everybody. Since there's already a pizza shop owner who is displaying an anti-Kerry banner across from the convention, I'm guessing the GOP brownshirts will be allowed full run of the city.

[kskiska]

10. "First Amendment Zones" are a product of rulings

regarding abortion clinic protesting. In order to protect women from attack or harrassment when entering abortion clinics, protestors were ordered to stay away.

This was extended to include people protesting other events, also.

[UTUSN]

11. The Zones Started to Protect Pro-Choice Clients at Clinics

from the rabid, assaulting Anti-choicers lining the accessways to the clinics.

As usual, Dems are in a doublebind, tying ourselves in knots by our own idealism:

We stand for EVERYBODY's rights even when the rights of others work against us. Wingnuts don't do that: They only champion things that benefit THEM. Look at O'REILLY and Dr LAURAsevic wanting to marginalize (actually, "obliterate") anybody who doesn't "fit".