The Democratic Convention seems to be on track after taking care of the cash shortfall, but already there is controversy , not involving any of the participants, but the demonstrators who are expected in droves and the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” The issue at hand involves the plan to keep demonstrators behind a fence. The American Civil Liberties Union claims that keeping the demonstrations behind a fence infringes on their First Amendment right to freedom of speech and they have taken the issue to court.

The First Amendment gives the right to peaceful assembly. If the demonstrators are allowed to go where they want, would they be peaceful? All it takes is a few to set off the rest and the result is chaos. I can vividly remember the Democratic convention of 1968 in Chicago. The demonstarations turned to riots and no one was able to exercise the right to free speech at all. While most of the demonstrators just what to get their message across, there will be some who just want to instigate a riot. Yes, it is true that the Chicago police did not help the situation back in ‘68. Maybe if the demonstrators had been restricted to one area where the candidates and the delegates would have been able to see and hear them, they would have gotten their message across much better. The issue at the Chicago convention was another war, just like it is now. Personally, I do not what to see history repeat itself in this case.

The American Civil Liberties Union wanted the Secret Service and the City of Denver to release details on exactly what the restrictions would be and that has been done. Now it seems they have dropped the protest about the fenced in areas and want the areas to be enlarged, to allow demonstrators to hand out leaflets and to have parades around the Pepsi Center.

The City of Denver and the Secret Service have the responsibility for the safety of everyone attending the convention and the demonstrators as well. Should the demonstrators have the right to speak their minds? Of course they should, but the candidates and delegates have the right to their personal safety. It is not easy to strike a balance between the two and in all probability neither side will be happy with the final decision, but having a peaceful demonstration will make both sides come out looking good.