The importance of nonviolent protests

Lane Penley

In the past couple months, protesting has become a very violent way of a group of people voicing their opinion.

In some cases, it has led to the arrest of many people and the injury of people that were not even involved in the protesting.

Whether you agree with the Republican or Democratic party, you cannot argue to the fact that there is an unrest feeling at any presidential convention.

I have witnessed the appalling scene of hundreds of protesters creating an unsafe environment for normal people supporting their choice for President of the United States.

Major media outlets call this “peaceful protesting,” but I can assure that the protesting is far from peaceful.

At the Asheville Civic Center for the Donald Trump campaign rally, a firearm was seized from someone involved with the protesting. Although his intentions were unclear, it is still unacceptable and puts many innocent people in danger.

“What do theses people think that they are possibly achieving?” is the question that I asked when my mother and I were simply trying to exit the building, which was obstructed by seemingly thousands of protesters.

The extent of the protesting was outrageous with people shouting, chanting and screaming at people.

The protesters were eventually backed up by several men in full body armor and bulletproof vests.

I believe that this needs to be addressed in order to have more events where safety is the most important thing.

But one of the several issues is: How do you control that many people in a violent situation?

There could be a thousand different answers to that simple question, but the main goal for you if you attend a presidential rally is to stay safe and do not interact or counter the protesters.

That could put you in a possibly dangerous situation with it being much more difficult for law enforcement to address.

Most people felt that the protesting does not bother them but only makes them proud of the opinion that they have.

I even overheard a gentleman state that the protesting does not make him want to change his views, but in fact makes him want to support his presidential candidate even more.