OPINION:
From the burning of the American flag to the physical assault of Donald Trump supporters and the blocking of highways, your lack of respect for the law and your fellow citizens is appalling.
Did you really believe punching and throwing eggs at Mr. Trump’s supporters would make people take you more seriously?
Were you too wrapped up in your own warped self-interest to realize that blocking roads and major highways could lead to accidents and the possible loss of lives?
The fact that you do not agree with Mr. Trump and his supporters does not give you the right to break the law.
You are not being praised as heroes in the liberal movement, but rather as ignorant fools.
Nothing excuses your criminal acts and the point you were trying to make has been overshadowed by your poor choice of criminal actions.
In fact, many of your own potential political allies have denounced your behavior and you have done nothing more than lessen the attention being given to meaningful protests as well as the very issues and candidates that you sought to support.
As the saying goes, you have “cut off your nose to spite your face.”
Wouldn’t your time have been better spent supporting a candidate that you like than attacking the supporters of a candidate that you disagree with?
Our ancestors gave their lives to protect the freedoms that we are blessed to have today, including our First Amendment right to free speech.
We are fortunate to have a voice in our democratic process, a voice that people from other countries only dream of being able to one day employ.
If you don’t like the way things are going in our country, utilize the many legal outlets available to influence political change.
Use your voice instead of violence and crime.
Write a letter to our lawmakers, start a petition online, volunteer for the candidate of your choice, organize a peaceful protest or start your very own voter registration effort.
Remember, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
If you want to really make a difference, stop the violence and be a part of the solution.
Stand up and be a part of the change you desire to see in America.
• Madison Gesiotto is a staff editor for the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law. The author’s views are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law.
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