Survey Data
Reports of organized funding, paid participation, and outside coordination in political protests in recent months have ignited debate over the limits of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
When does the legitimate exercise of free speech become civil disorder? Who is responsible for any criminal acts or property damage that may occur during a political demonstration?
We asked readers of The Epoch Times to weigh in on matters of transparency, accountability, and governmental authority in cases when the exercise of free speech becomes orchestrated violence.
Penalties for Organizers
Most respondents (80 percent) named outside funding and coordination as the primary factor in protests that turn violent. Opportunistic crime was a distant second at 12 percent. A large number of respondents commented that “all of the above” were factors in sparking violence….