³ÉÈËXÕ¾

DAVE ROSS

Ross: Could there be an alternative to endless protests?

Aug 12, 2020, 6:24 AM | Updated: Aug 13, 2020, 10:55 am

protest...

Demonstrators use shields while blocking an intersection near the Seattle Police East Precinct during protests on July 26, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)

Here’s a novel court case: In Seattle, five protesters filed a federal lawsuit claiming that their right to protest … is being taxed.

They argue that because of police crowd-control tactics, the only way they can protest safely is to order gas masks and body armor. And because that stuff is expensive, it’s like a tax on their right to peaceably assemble.

Two of the protesters claim that because they had to wait for their gas masks to arrive, they missed several days of protesting.

They argue the streets are a public forum, and you shouldn’t have to suit up like a commando to use them.

But the streets are not really a public forum. The sidewalks, maybe, or the parks, but the streets are there so that people can get around and do business.

Suppose businesses went to court to sue protesters for scaring customers away. Or for making it too easy for looters to carry their merchandise away?

People who live and work in these protest zones could argue that by NOT breaking up protests, the police are depriving peaceful residents of THEIR rights.

Could there be an alternative to endless protests?

If only we had a system where we elected people who could represent various points of view and whose job it was to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty! Maybe someday.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • to ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

Image: From left, Chris Sullivan, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien stand together in the ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradi...

MyNorthwest Staff

Dave and Colleen’s final ‘SMN:’ ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ colleagues, politicians say their goodbyes

"Seattle's Morning News" on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio will soon have a new sound. On Thursday, Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien will host their last show together after a decade of co-hosting.

7 months ago

Classical literature on bookshelves. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross as you’ve never heard him before: ‘I like fat books and I can’t deny’

"This song, inspired by one of my first interviews when I started my talk show, which was Sir Mix-A-Lot," Dave Ross said.

7 months ago

national debt...

Dave Ross

‘Don’t cut a cent:’ Dave Ross on why the national debt never gets under control

The national debt now exceeds $36 trillion, and every president says it has to be under control. And yet, it never is.

7 months ago

voters hormone...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters weren’t just voting for change, they were voting for a hormone

The more I read the post-election analysis, the more I’m convinced voters weren’t just voting for a change – they were voting for a hormone.

8 months ago

ross o'brien - Seattle's Morning News...

Frank Sumrall

Dave Ross, Colleen O’Brien departing after co-hosting ‘Seattle’s Morning News’ for a decade

Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien, the co-hosts of "Seattle's Morning News" on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio are both leaving the show.

8 months ago

election day...

Dave Ross

Dave Ross: Election Day and Decision Day are two separate things

Tomorrow is Election Day – that’s what the calendar says. But there are two problems with the term "Election Day."

8 months ago

Ross: Could there be an alternative to endless protests?