Is the US government really allowed to block the ability for people to get protesting permits?

Question

I was just thinking about how many skateboarding protests have been illegal because of the inability to get a permit to protest. Though the skateboarders go through with most of them, I began to wonder. Why can people protest the war legally, and not something smaller; yet important in itself to those types of people. Do we not have the right to protest as American citizens? Why then would the ability to protest (especially LEGALLY) be blocked?

I would like to know if this really happens, if it should happen; and what your thoughts are on it.

Answer 1

The constututional right to assemble has been curtailed by the powers that be because they simply don't care.  They want things THEIR way and to h**l with anyone who disagrees.  To them, freedom is the freedom to do what they want you to.

Answer 2

Perhaps the type of people protesting.  They allow the anti-war rallies with citizens who are of age, and hopefully, fully educated.  They perhaps descriminate on the younger, not done being educated because perhaps the law is for the greater good of the people in the town and not the speaking minority (skateboarders).  While I doubt law might change, it doesn't make sense while you shouldn't be permitted to protest.  You might as well just go and protest at your will because unless your tresspassing on private property, or reeking havoc and committing crimes you are allowed peaceful protest.

Answer 3

Probably because you have to be an adult to get a permit.

Hint: a protest permit is a contract, and juveniles cannot sign legal contracts.

Answer 4

Its like we all live in Paris/Anna/Brittany world.  Skateboards want to have protests and say that they will do them lawfully and abide by the rules and then you mention that you go through with them anyhow.  Shows a certain lack of respect for the rules I would think.  And yeah, they do curtail some forms of free speech for public safety reasons, like the KKK rallies, and I guess you must be in a town where skateboarders are just always on the way to the library to study but in my town they destroy private property, deal drugs and often stab each other.