In a well-planned operation, a small group of protesters disrupted the morning commute by stopping and parking cars on the bridge leading to San Francisco. While the Highway Patrol responded immediately, the effect of the topped traffic rippled across the normally moving traffic lanes. Tens of thousands of drivers were stranded in their cars for hours until tow truck drivers could reach the block of vehicles.
Is this free speech? Are these protesters courageous? Did they congregate on social media and make a collective decision to disrupt the lives of tens of thousands of working Americans who may or may not agree with their political leanings?
Bay Area residents have seen these activities before, especially on the Golden Gate Bridge, where access is somewhat easier for protesters. With little regard for the individual effects suffered by countless drivers, these protesters gain publicity on the one hand, but gain more negative sentiments for their "cause". Has anybody conducted a poll among the commuters? Hmmmm. It seems to me, often a witness to such tactics, that cruel and unusual punishment would be appropriate. Short of the rack, perhaps a mandatory year in the county jail would take these grownup children to a different mental state. Perhaps civil disobedience would take a different form such as holding signs along the highway( normal).
The plight of the CHP is also a factor: yes, they are charged with keeping highways safe and free of hazards. However, this is not a traffic problem, really. I would love to hear the defense ' arguments in court, such as "I felt this was necessary to wake people up." "I wanted to show support for ---". This is free speech." "It is protected by the Constitution". "Arms makers are profiting and must be stopped". The Pentagon is supporting Israel." "Israel is responsible". "It's the fault of the Jews." And on and on.
Time to make the children accept the consequences of civil disobedience: jail, now, for 1 year. Longer for repeaters. Case closed.
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