Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2008

Man had right to protest abortion

The United States is different from other nations because its citizens enjoy numerous individual rights. The Founding Fathers made sure to guarantee these rights in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And these rights are further defined within laws, policies and guidelines that govern society.

One of those fundamental rights is the freedom of speech, but Olathe saw that right violated last week when an Olathe police officer asked an anti-abortion protestor to leave town because the van the protestor, Ronald Brock, had parked at the Johnson County Courthouse displayed graphic pictures of abortion and the Holocaust.

The officer thought the photos violated the city’s obscenity law, but Brock was within his rights. The photos were a form of protest against what he perceived as egregious actions made by Judge Kevin Moriarty with the grand jury investigation of Planned Parenthood.

Police Chief Janet Thiessen apologized to Brock, as she should have done, and she promised that officers would receive more training in this area. This is good to hear.

Sometimes protests against the government walk a fine line. Society should be protected against protests that use violence and illegal intimidation. Laws, not violence, govern the United States and civility must take place even with someone’s angry with the government’s actions.

The officer wanted to protect the public, but in this case, whether one likes the photos, Brock was within his rights. The public was not in danger from Brock’s actions. Even if someone thought the photos were gruesome or distasteful, Brock exercised his right to free speech in the appropriate manner.

Sometimes, now matter how ugly, facts are facts. Abortion is not a pretty procedure, and regardless of one’s position on the issue, everyone has a right to talk freely about the issue and even display the graphic nature of the medical procedure.

Even if Brock were alone in his belief, he has the right to protest. A majority does not necessarily rule the minority, and government does not make the rules. The Constitution and laws govern the United States. This is something government has forgotten too often, and it takes instances such as this to remind us all of the importance of protecting individual rights.

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