In America, everyone is entitled to free speech. There is no denying it. It is in the constitution. But there are some ground rules to follow when using free speech. Don’t make false arguments. More importantly, if you’re protesting a politician, don’t make careless mistakes like rewriting that person’s voting record.
The protesters at the U.S. Senator Richard Durbin event broke the second rule by trying to make it sound as if Sen. Durbin was for the war. But, he voted against it. Public figures, meaning politicians, have their record of votes for public to view, either on the Internet or at your local library.
The other problem is that the protesters were, according to many attendees, “hogging the microphone” during the question and answer period, which caused long lines and led to people having to shift their chairs to see Durbin speak. This is an inappropriate use of free speech and borders on agitation. People were telling them to sit down or move. Midway through, when the protesters were finally escorted to the front by public safety, many in the audience applauded.
It was also rude when the protesters interrupted Durbin while he was sharing personal antidotes about his family’s immigrant past. The keynote address was titled “Immigration and Social Justice.” The protesters were protesting the war and this event was about immigration reform. Many people have benefited from the first part of the DREAM ACT. For example, student Luz Mancera, who with unabated courage said that she wouldn’t have made it to Northeastern without it.
A dignitary came to this school and many people came to hear him speak, some having to stand in the back, and the protesters did the wrong way. And them saying because the politicians are voting for war funding is being in support for the war is atrocious. How are the soldiers going to come home safe without any money for equipment and proper armor?
Yes free speech is your right whether it is right or wrong, but there are wrong ways to do it. So get your facts straight and don’t take a bill out of context. And don’t protest a person that isn’t talking about the thing your protesting. Now, there were some signs saying that Durbin deports families, if you look at the DREAM ACT, this is to help people that have been here before they were 16 to get an education that aren’t natural born citizens. And Durbin is co-sponsor for the DREAM Act in the Senate.
Also, we have lately received letters that have been sent to us with out a name. We would love to publish them but we need to know who you are. Just give us your name and contact information and say that you want to have your name withheld. The letters we have received have been key for potential news story but they had to be dropped due to not knowing the name of the person. Please make sure your letters are within the word limit, reminder it is 300 words now. This is changed from the 250 from previous issue this semester.