Occupy Providence has the fringe-right all in a tizzy over an incident in which condoms were dropped on a anti-choice rally at the State House, spawning not one but two diaries calling for criminal charges to protect the religious right from the inconvenience of being confronted with opposing views. Here’s Justin nearly hyperventilating over a list of “possible charges” and the need to criminalize exercising one’s First Amendment rights:
11-45-1 Disorderly conduct. — (a) A person commits disorderly conduct if he or she intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: … (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; … (3) Directs at another person in a public place offensive words which are likely to provoke a violent reaction on the part of the average person so addressed; … (5) Engages in conduct which obstructs or interferes physically with a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering
Clearly, there’s room to suggest that throwing objects during a political assault on such a gathering as the pro-life rally is illegal… unless, of course, the judiciary has effectively nullified these sections of the law or the AG’s office just wants pesky right-leaning bloggers to go away like the mainstream reporters do.
Among the other grievances was a “hair assault” on Rep. Costa. We can only hope the Representative gets the counseling she so desperately needs after her ordeal.
What’s funny is how different the fringe right views these protests depending on whether or not they agree with the sentiment. Who can forget the “disorderly conduct” of the religious right this past holiday season, who interrupted a children’s concert to protest it not being Christian enough. But don’t bother looking over at that other blog for the calls to have those folks arrested. Those laws only apply if they disagree with you.