People gathering to discuss problems and voice their disapproval of the
authorities and to publicly protest government actions is perhaps as old as
government itself. Sometimes when citizens protest-in Ukraine in 2004, in
Romania in 1991, in the Philippines in 1986-these demonstrations have not been
stopped, and they have led directly to a change of government. At other times,
such as in Tiananmen Square in 1991 and in Chicago in 1968, governments have
determined such demonstrations were a threat to public safety and suppressed
them with police or even military forces. Distinguishing between the rights of
citizens to assemble and the responsibility of government to maintain safety is
a particularly difficult question in a democracy, where government must listen
and respond to the voices of its citizens.
This unit explores the question of whether a democracy should have the power to
require a permit for any public demonstration in order to avoid violence. It
examines why government regulation is always difficult when citizens protest
using this uniquely dynamic form of expression. It provides examples from the
United States and other countries of how governments regulate public
demonstrations, and the reasons how citizens and government officials try to
strike a balance between free expression and public order. The unit also
presents a discussion model called "structured academic controversy" for
exploring the facts, arguments, and options surrounding this issue.
Focus Questions
Should our democracy have the power to require a permit for any public
demonstration in order to avoid violence?
Objectives
Understand the fundamental importance of public demonstrations in guaranteeing
freedom of expression, particularly by disfavored or marginal groups.
Learn the issues raised by public demonstrations within the conflict between
free expression and public order.
Appreciate the enduring difficulties posed by balancing police powers and free
expression during public demonstrations.
Analyze the reasons supporting and opposing the government having the power to
require a permit for any public demonstration in order to avoid violence.
Identify areas of agreement and disagreement with other students.
Decide, individually and as a group, whether the government should have the
power to require a permit for any public demonstration in order to avoid
violence; support decisions based on evidence and sound reasoning.
Reflect on the value of deliberation when deciding issues in a democracy.
Materials
Lesson Procedures
Handout 1-Deliberation Guide
Handout 2-Deliberation Worksheet
Handout 3-Student Reflection on Deliberation
Public Demonstrations-Reading
Public Demonstrations-Selected Resources
Public Demonstrations-Deliberation Question with Arguments
Last updated: September 15, 2006
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