Nena Arias | June 1, 2020
In a free society, like the United States of America, The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishes the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The Constitution gives its citizens the right to “peaceably assemble” even if it is to protest against the government and the civic authorities but it must be done peaceably and in order.
Committing injustice to protest injustice serves absolutely no good purpose. That behavior will never bring peace and will only promote the escalation of violence and dire consequences. Rioting will never start meaningful dialogue because there is unwillingness to come to the table for civil dialogue. You never fight injustice with injustice, two wrongs will never make a right and will only drive a wedge between a society that desperately needs to unite and respect the societal structure to accomplish a good outcome. There are processes in place to change unjust laws and modify existing laws for a better functioning society. No violence is necessary especially where innocent people will get hurt through no fault of their own.
Lawlessness has been set in motion through what is being recognized as police brutality in the death of a man named George Floyd. We should never support police brutality. Turning protests into rioting, looting and burning down businesses of innocent people who had nothing to do with the brutality and trashing private property to fight injustice with injustice is plain wrong. It is only going to breed more injustice against ourselves and our communities. Huge damage will be the result.
Swift justice is needed in the George Floyd case. Immediate enforcement is needed to stop the destruction we are seeing here at home. Violence will always breed violence. It is wrong!
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)
“Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.” (Proverbs 3:29, 31)
Photo: Julio Cortez (Keystone)