The rights to freedom of speech and freedom to assemble peaceably are two of the most vital in our democracy. If a person steps beyond those boundaries, rights of due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment are equally essential.
Across the country, and particularly in New York, these rights are being violated. Scott Olsen and Kayvan Sabeghi, both veterans of the Iraq War, were severely injured by Oakland police despite taking no violent actions. In New York, retired NY Supreme Court Justice Karen Smith was shoved and threatened with arrest simply for telling an officer that his violence toward another protester was unnecessary, that he should simply arrest her if the protester was in violation of the law.
These are not scenes from a free republic. Please, intervene.