The Greensboro News & Record’s editorial today is on Charlotte’s new “extraordinary event” ordinance. A sample:
The Charlotte security rules aren’t all about safety, though. They’re designed to control and limit the ability of demonstrators to bother people attending the convention. Police will try to contain protesters away from convention visitors to avoid confrontations. Leaders of both parties want their big gatherings to send positive messages to the country, unmarred by scenes of picket signs and tear gas in the streets. That might happen anyway, because excessive restrictions on basic rights of assembly and free expression tend to provoke bigger demonstrations.
Yup. And it is the irony of the matter — in its attempts to suppress demonstration and dissent, Charlotte may be creating more demonstrations and dissent.
