Disruptive Protest Legality

The cluster debates the distinction between peaceful protests protected by law and disruptive actions like blocking roads or public nuisance, emphasizing that protesting does not excuse illegal behavior or infringement on others' rights.

📉 Falling 0.4x Politics & Society
4,249
Comments
19
Years Active
5
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#5113
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

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2018
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Keywords

US HN GoFundMe foxnews.com HR BLM protest protesting protests peaceful illegal peacefully nuisance arrested protestors obama

Sample Comments

hueving Oct 11, 2017 View on HN

You're conflating a protest with a protest that involves breaking the law and risking peoples lives (blocking a road interferes with emergency services).

cpburns2009 Feb 1, 2017 View on HN

It's one thing to protest peacefully. But it's completely different to protest by infringing on the rights of other people to travel.

vnchr Mar 14, 2017 View on HN

Is this for protest or mischief?

cm2187 Jul 24, 2020 View on HN

A case against someone peacefully demonstrating? How so?

zamadatix Jan 10, 2022 View on HN

Protesting in that manner isn't without consequence even if the thing being protested for is right or something else is worse to do. "It was in protest" is a reasoning not an absolution.

seanw444 May 28, 2024 View on HN

No, you see, it's a protest. They can do anything they want with no legal repercussions.

ThrowawayTestr Oct 26, 2025 View on HN

You could protest but then you'd be arrested for disturbing the peace.

blackeyeblitzar May 16, 2024 View on HN

Why is that absurd? In most countries, including the US, protests are only allowed under certain conditions. You can’t do things like take over public infrastructure. Such protests are violent, not peaceful, and should be treated as such. I think it’s absurd that some people think that they’re owed an audience for their unpopular ideas. They can use normal discussions and the political system to convince others. But stealing from them (their time and therefore money) is not okay.

pc86 Aug 25, 2023 View on HN

This wasn't a peaceful protest so the amendment doesn't apply.

ghiculescu Aug 11, 2021 View on HN

The fact that you describe protesting as illegal kinda says it all.