Across the country, Occupy Wall Street gradually morphed into Occupy Whatever Street and the mayors of New York, Oakland and Portland erred badly at the outset of the protests. The protests in general had no central coherent message and whatever message that advanced was lost with the onset of violence, destruction of property, rampant drug use, and unsanitary practices on public property. When the mayors allowed the protesters to continue for weeks, the decision to halt the activities of the various groups of dissidents was met with further violence and unlawful actions.
It is important to understand that First Amendment rights are not boundless and public permits issued to allow for free speech and protest should have specific guidelines that prohibit property destruction, unlawful conduct, and blocking access to public and private property.
Officials in Vancouver and Clark County should be praised for the relative peaceful demonstration, but what would the outcome have been if there were light rail access from Portland to Vancouver? The citizens of Clark County need to rethink any proposal to have light rail, which would allow easy access for any of out-of-control protesters from Portland.
R. Edwin Maul
Ridgefield
