According to the LA Times arguments have been made that the city of Los Angeles “looks weak” by dallying in their efforts to remove Occupy protestors from the park at City Hall. Apparently, some are of the opinion that all Occupy protestors throughout the country should be evicted in much the same manner as those in New York.

Remembering that the raid on Occupy Wall Street protestors, resulting in their eviction, was carried out in the dead of night, accompanied by police brutality, confiscation of private property, and suppression of the press, it is inconceivable why anyone who prizes their rights and freedom would wish that same fate on others who are simply expressing their views. Unless, of course, the critics of the city’s strategy toward the protestors are in opposition to the goals and politics of the movement.

No matter whether a protest is part of the Occupy movement, or the Tea Party movement, or a protest representing any political views whatsoever, if that protest is peaceful, those protestors have a right to express their views. Just because some may disagree with the message, the protestors are engaging in the political dialogue of this country and they have a right to do so.

That the city of Los Angeles is taking its time in evicting the protestors does not indicate weakness. If anything, it indicates caution. When the police became involved in other cities, such as New York and Oakland, violence against the protestors was the result. Perhaps the city recognizes that by attempting to forcibly remove the protestors, it will be losing its moral superiority over a peaceful demonstration. People have the right to gather together to protest, and as long as their protests are peaceful, they are within moral bounds, and exercising a constitutionally derived right. Committing violence against the protestors, as is sure to occur when attempting to forcibly evict them from City Hall, will only give the protestors more strength.

 

Reach Senior Opinion Editor Cara Palmer here or follow her on Twitter.