Protests are good, riots bad
As you may know, this week Seattle played
host to the World Trade Organization meeting.
What followed can simultaneously be described
as pride inspiring and disgusting.
It has long been known that there is vocal
opposition to the concept of open world trade.
There are some that view the lowering of
trade barriers as an open assault on the security of jobs here at home.
Others see it as an attempt to exploit
the poor masses in third world countries, their bodies used only as grist
for the multi-national industrial mill.
Many others view limiting of environmental
laws on a worldwide scope as a disaster approaching Armageddon.
The groups that assembled peacefully in
Seattle to disrupt the opening ceremonies of the WTO meeting represent
the best aspects of America and I salute you.
Our government was founded on the concept
that you could publicly refute the policies of any government organization.
It is nice to see that right exercised
responsibly.
My problem resides with the other participants
in the protests.
Their behavior was burned across the television
tube with every news update.
The vandals, who went store to store, smashing
windows, looting merchandise and set cars on fire, are who I blame for
the number of police present.
It was their actions that made it necessary
to call in riot police and eventually the National Guard.
What they did could only be viewed as opportunistic
and evil.
They had no connection to the issues being
brought forth by the protests.
It is very sad that in any group activity,
be it protest or celebration, there is always the presence of spoilers.
There inevitably is some small percentage
of participants who must lash out for no reason.
Kerry Bromberg is a public relations
major at Cal State Long Beach. |
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