The first amendment of our constitution allows the people to peaceably assemble and petition their government. In recent weeks, I've witnessed the Occupy movement protestors be pepper sprayed, beaten, and otherwise abused by civil authorities across the nation. In some cases, the civil authorities even block access for the press to witness these actions.
Ironically corporations can spend millions in buying air time to speak for their positions, but the individual of limited means is being beaten, pepper sprayed and otherwise abused for exercising the same right in a civil manner.
Please use the voice of the bully pulpit to urge civil authorities to give this exercise of free speech the respect it deserves, and to decry the excessive force to those exercising their rights.