Punishing Civil Disobedience In The United States

Words: 896
Pages: 4

Punishing Civil Disobedience
From the Boston Tea Party in 1733 to President Trump’s 2016 inauguration, hundreds of riots have impacted the American society. Rioters frequently gather in metropolitan areas to voice their disapproval of something. Rioters are extremely violent and are prone to cause chaos and destruction. In the United States riots against public authorities are punishable by law, yet rioters are rarely punished.. As we as a society continually change, our opinions are constantly challenged by others. The increased differences of society’s opinions result in more and more riots across the U.S. In order to end all turmoil caused by riots, rioters must be severely punished for inflicting harm and destroying property.
Rioters
…show more content…
Punishment is the only way to prevent rioters of their malicious acts. If all rioters were held accountable for the damages they cause, it is very likely that rioters would cease to exist. Rioters swear by the first amendment and believe that it entitles them to do whatever they wish; however, they disregard the part that states it is the “right of the people [to] peaceably assemble” (CITE). Those who think rioters have the right to do whatever they wish are ignorant. Some even believe that the government is rarely useful, therefor the people are obligated to do what they think is right (cite civildisopbedience). Henry David Thoreau’s, Civil Disobedience claims that if people disagree with a government then they should not associate themselves with it (cite). If rioters were to heed Thoreau’s advice they would accomplish much more. Unfortunately, nothing has yet to cease riots, not citizens, the police, or National Guard, have been able to end riots. Rioters are very destructive people and should be punished for their crimes. If all rioters faced jail time and were charged for the damage they cause, there would be a large decrease in riots. Many rioters are people looking for attention so they do whatever they can to catch someone’s eye. Rioting is not how one expresses himself nor it is not freedom of speech. Rioting is simply a violent and destructive disturbance which causes pandemonium. Punishing rioters for the disturbance and damages they cause is the first step to ending rioting once and for