Anti-War Goes Antisensical
Is it a word? I don’t know for sure, but antisensical was the first thing that came to mind when I read this piece from The Hill:
Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of the west front steps of the United States Capitol building after police were ordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources told The Hill.
According to the sources, police officers were livid when they were told to fall back by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols. They were the commanders on the scene,” one source said, who requested anonymity. “It was disgusting.”
The account of another witness said the crowd had already stopped at a point far from the Capitol when the officers were told to fall back. What was the reasoning here? USCP Chief Phillip Morse explained to The Hill:
He added, “It is the USCP’s duty and responsibility to protect the Capitol complex, staff and public while allowing the public to exercise their First Amendment rights … at the end of the day, both occurred without injury to protestors or officers.”
So, graffiti on government property, not to mention national symbols, is covered under the First Amendment? I’m just taking a wild guess that if I were to stroll down to the Lincoln Memorial this morning, color in his beard, and spray “Support Our Troops” at the base I’d likely be arrested. USCP’s duty is to protect the Capitol complex, indeed. When someone spray paints the Capitol in full view of your officers, Mr. Morse, and you don’t even arrest and fine them after the fact, you’ve failed in your duty.
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