LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — First Modification legal professional Marc Randazza defined the boundary of free speech and illegal exercise to eight Information Now after Wednesday evening’s protest.
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He mentioned the First Modification protects your freedom to face on the sidewalk, chant, and maintain indicators — however it doesn’t make you harmless of crimes dedicated whereas doing so.
“If you’re doing something that would be illegal if you weren’t protesting, it doesn’t magically become legal because you are a protester,” Randazza mentioned.
With regards to what occurred Wednesday evening, he mentioned Metro Police made the appropriate name after protestors started to throw rocks and block roads.
“Once a protest descends to people blocking the roads, if the police want to declare it unlawful to clear the streets, you know, even as a staunch First Amendment advocate, that does not rub me the wrong way,” he mentioned.
Randazza mentioned a First Modification violation occurs when police arrest protestors who’re performing lawfully, and he hasn’t seen many violations in Las Vegas.
“Metro is pretty good with that, but there’s a history in Las Vegas, a tolerance, for free speech activities,” Randazza mentioned.
He helps protests no matter their message.
“I don’t care if you’re pro-ICE or anti-ICE. Go out there and do it,” Randazza mentioned. “But do it with your words, do it with signs, do it with chants, if you like. But the moment you start to block traffic, I hope somebody runs you over, and I have no problem with that.”
