Peaceful Protest as Hallmark for Change

In today’s video, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services are providing a new guide to law enforcement officers that compiles information, tools, and best practices to maintain public safety while safeguarding constitutional rights during First Amendment-protected events. Attorney General Holder reiterated that the Department of Justice encourages law enforcement officials, in every jurisdiction, to work with the communities they serve to minimize needless confrontation. And he reminded all individuals that—while demonstrations and protests have the potential to spark a positive national dialog and bring about critical reform—history has shown us that the most successful and enduring movements for change are those that adhere to non-aggression and nonviolence.

This is a fine message from the Attorney General.  It seems at times that people, and their communities, are so easily inflamed when wrongdoing, injustice or offense takes place.  Emotions are part and parcel of human nature, and so is the will to survive and to fight when threatened.  But while aggressive or violent action may stop wrongdoing, it inevitably begets more aggression and violence.  Such action may also convey the message that any injustice will not be tolerated, but if the action itself is against the law and creates more harm, then the message is dangerously twisted: It becomes a matter of injustice vs injustice.  A momentary win-lose scenario inevitably becomes a lose-lose scenario, if the root causes of the original wrongdoing, injustice or offense aren't addressed adequately or resolved effectively.  So I cannot emphasize enough what the Attorney General relates:  Peaceful protest as a hallmark of change, as are dialogue and debate and earnest problem solving. 

The new guide for law enforcement officers is available here: Department of Justice Releases Resource Guide to Help Law Enforcement Strengthen Relationships with Communities.