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Letters to the Editor

Letters: First Amendment doesn’t cover riots

People protesting Donald Trump, left, are separated from Trump supporters, right, near the site of a campaign appearance by the Republican presidential candidate.
People protesting Donald Trump, left, are separated from Trump supporters, right, near the site of a campaign appearance by the Republican presidential candidate. AP

Many are of the belief that the Constitution protects the right to demonstrate. Not quite: The First Amendment protects “the right of the people to peaceably assemble.” A key word is “peaceably.”

Riots aren’t covered, or shutting down speakers at their own rallies, or any disorder at all. Whether from left or right, riots and disorder have zero constitutional protection.

Daniel House

West Columbia

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Letters: First Amendment doesn’t cover riots."

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