BOYLAN: Is it time to protest?

Published 2:30 pm Saturday, January 16, 2021

I mean … really protest in the manner that the media records. Let us assemble on Hancock Street and apply those lessons conveyed by the recording of events around these United States, e.g., Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Washington, DC,  and, yes, Atlanta. I mean…let us set up barricades that block off the street and then, as in Seattle, Washington, break into the various stores and steal their goods after which we will break all the windows and trash the store. What are we protesting? Does it matter? After all, we are angry and our spite must be vented on something. And if the  proprietors of these stores attempt to protect their property, they must be beaten as was the case in Seattle, Washington. Should we fear exercising our Constitutional rights?  Taking a note from some of the cities named above, the Mayor of Seattle and the Governor of Washington observed such activities and did nothing. Their cowardice set the example for Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and other cities in our country. The protests were ostensibly made by people angry about police brutality, election outcomes, or other reasons. In reality, however, the protests were little more than an opportunity for the participants to engage in looting, destruction of property, and the harming of police officers attempting to preserve order. Most recently, protesters invaded the US Capital —

ostensibly protesting the outcome of our recent election. To what end?  The results of that election were confirmed by the Electoral College — the same body that confirmed the election of the outgoing President. To demonstrate one’s concern by demonstrating one’s belief is one thing — it is a right guaranteed by our constitution. However, including criminal acts as a means of demonstrating one’s opposition are events that should result in the incarceration of the participants—and, too, the removal of those political leaders who stand by and do nothing…evidencing not only their cowardice, but more importantly, their fear of offending those who elected them. When will we be fortunate enough to have political leaders who have the courage to act in the best interests of their state or this country without concerning themselves with the potential outcome of the next election?

Peter J. Boylan

Milledgeville