R2P: The Responsibility to Protest (The Mantle)

I am often shocked when I hear talk about the Occupy Wall Street movement being un-American, or that these people out protesting in the streets should find more constructive things to do with their time. As if they are out there for the fun of it. You know, just didn’t feel like going to work that day so they thought they’d go get arrested for walking on a public sidewalk. It constantly amazes me how easily people forget that this country was built on protest and revolution. It’s in our blood. From our initial fight for independence, to the Women’s Rights movement, the Civil Rights movement, the anti-war protests during the Vietnam era, and the list goes on. One of the most beautiful things about living in a democracy is that we have the freedom to protest. Read more…