Barker Letter: Charlotte protests
I see that many media, including the source (The Charlotte Observer) of a lead story for the Statesman, are working hard to misrepresent what is happening in Charlotte. We are not seeing a constitutionally protected protest in that city. We are seeing a riot. The First Amendment protects “... the right of the people peaceably (my emphasis) to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” It does not grant any right to loot, burn, destroy, and kill.
An honest media will use the proper terms to describe what is happening. When such deliberately misleading and incorrect terms are used, it is a sign that an agenda is being pushed. Our media would be far more respected if they would accurately report events and stop their political pandering.
Don Barker, Boise
This story was originally published October 3, 2016 at 11:17 PM with the headline "Barker Letter: Charlotte protests."