OUR VIEW: Political protests Occupy our minds

Is crapping on cop cars protected under the First Amendment? After founding U.S. politicians were done arguing over its parameters, the First Amendment consisted of five tenets regarding the voice of the American public — the freedoms of speech, lobby, assembly, press and petition.

The United States itself was built in the wake of grievances and protests by a whole cohort of early colonial settlers who sought a life other than the one the English monarchy allowed in the 17th and 18th centuries.

With the rise of the politically charged Occupy movements spreading throughout not only the U.S. but the globe, all sides with a voice are stepping forward to speak out on the range of opinions surrounding the efficacy and legitimacy of such protests.

As of Sunday, Oct. 16, it was reported that among arrests for illegally convening in public places and blocking traffic, perpetrators of violence, indecency and public nuisance have been apprehended by the police.

There is no doubt that millions of Americans share — to at least some level — the idea that economically and governmentally something in the U.S. needs to change. What most people cannot and will not agree on is how this change should come about. Media coverage has underscored a growing sentiment that the Occupy protests are at best wan attempts to draw attention to the growing cleavage between the richest and the poorest.

While the First Amendment protects the right to assemble, lobby or petition the government for redress of grievances, it does not protect most forms of civil disobedience and certainly will not condone violence, nudity, rioting or smearing feces on cop cars. So, the question is: What can be done to solve the problems we face?

Ideally, our votes would truly count and every member of the American public would have equal chance to be heard. Ideally, those who feel their votes don’t count would write their representative and receive a direct response to prove their voice is in fact heard. Ideally, those who are most passionate about change would find the mobility through higher education to rise up and become lawmakers, lawyers or lobbyists, who have direct political interaction.

Is it possible, in this day and age, for everyone and anyone to rise to the level of being heard and making a change? Unfortunately, many would say it is not. Are the Occupy movements really making any sort of positive change in America? It seems people from all sides have varying opinions on this; but one thing remains the same — we are, as U.S. citizens, given the right to stand up and say what we think. We suggest those who do take the time to do it right. After all, the sum of all best intentions doesn’t necessarily add up to a successful outcome.