The right to peacefully protest is protected and an important right for all citizens of the United States. Many nations and people do not have this right, so it would be good if we, as American citizens, could appreciate this great freedom while acting responsibly when exercising our rights. This freedom is not anytime, anywhere, and any how someone wants to protest. Communities and duly elected authorities have the right and the responsibility to properly permit and protect all citizens and their possessions during protests.
Our rights to protest do not give us the right to trample on the rights of others. The right to non peacefully (violently) protest is not protected, legal or allowed in our country. It is not okay to threaten, assault, commit battery, injure, maim, or kill people in protest. This is not peaceful and is a civil and criminal action. It is not okay to burn someone’s car, business, and possessions. This is arson. It is not okay to loot, steal and take someone else’s property. This is stealing and against the law. It is not okay to vandalize. This, too, is criminal behavior.
Peaceful protests should be recognized and accepted. Those involved in violent, criminal, and illegal behavior need to be stopped, fined, arrested and/or prosecuted as appropriate and within the rules of law that are in place. Authorities, peaceful protesters, and all law abiding Americans must stand together to address destructive, malicious, lawbreaking anarchists who have mingled into the groups of peaceful protesters. These anarchists have no desire for good, positive and peaceful change. They simply want to tear down society and destroy. I watch the images on my television of people bent on destruction, and it grieves my spirit. So many people are completely lawless and ungodly in their behavior. I wonder how anarchists and others can feel entitled and empowered to bully, terrorize, steal, vandalize, and destroy. (Ephesians 5:7-14) I don’t understand why our leaders and law enforcement allow this to go on and on for days now. I’m sure it is a tough problem to dissect these anarchists from those seeking peaceful redress of important issues and concerns.
I hope my Christian friends will join me to pray for our people, our nation, our leaders, and those charged to enforce the laws of our land. Pray for all of our people to come together in peace, love, and genuine care for one another. Let us be as our national motto says “E pluribus unum” which means “Out of many – one.” Let us turn back to God and in God we trust. Let us love like our Lord did on the cross and still loves today. (John 13:35) Let us love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us not give the devil a foothold to be deceiving, dividing, and destructive in our lives and relationships with one another. Let us stand for what is true and right. Let us reject evil. Let us keep our hope and faith in the Lord and His promises. Let us share our hope with those without hope. The battle against evil is tough, but for Christians our victory in Jesus is sure and secure. Let us keep the faith and stand firm focused on the Father and His will for our lives. Be the light. (Ephesians 5:7-14, Romans 13:11-14, I John 1:7, Philippians 2:14-16) Let us step up and into our role as ambassadors for Christ. (II Corinthians 5:14-21). Let us think on these things…