A Scene at the Intersection: Thoughts on Free Speech in America

These days, saying anything remotely political feels like tiptoeing through a minefield while wearing clown shoes. The act of simply acknowledging a political event — any political event — seems enough to draw cheers from one side and pitchforks from the other. So, while writing this, I do so with no agenda, no endorsements, and a healthy respect for my fellow Americans, regardless of where they fall on the ideological spectrum. My aim is to focus on something that unites rather than divides.

President Donald Trump recently marked his 100^th day in office. Depending on which media outlet you favor (or avoid) his approval ratings fall somewhere between 39% and 44%. Some say that’s a historic low for a modern president at this milestone, others say it’s an irrelevant number. But frankly, that’s not the story I want to tell.  The story is about the reaction.

Yesterday, while out on an errand that had nothing to do with politics, I stumbled upon a political protest in a residential neighborhood. It stretched across an entire city block, mostly centered around a busy intersection. There were over a hundred people gathered, brandishing hand-made signs and chanting messages into the open air. Some were passionate, others cheerful, and a few just seemed happy to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Rush hour traffic surged past the crowd. Some drivers honked in support, others perhaps out of frustration. (It’s often hard to tell the difference — a honk is not exactly a nuanced form of communication.) Amid the noise and motion, one car ran into another’s bumper, prompting a half-hearted exchange of insurance information while protest chants carried on in the background.

Curious, I stepped over to a police officer watching the scene and asked, “What do you think?” He barely looked away from the crowd and answered simply: “People have the right to a peaceful protest.”

And that, really, is the heart of the matter.

That right, to stand in a public place and make your voice heard, is not something everyone in the world enjoys. In some countries, a gathering like that would be broken up with tear gas or armored vehicles. In others, protesters might vanish overnight or face long prison sentences for holding up cardboard signs with words the government doesn’t like.

But here, in the United States, whether you lean left, right, center or identify as politically allergic, you have the right to speak up. You have the right to peacefully disagree. To rally. To hold signs. To honk your horn (within reason). You even have the right to ignore it all and go fishing. That’s part of what makes America, and more importantly its constitution, something truly special.

We may argue over policies, personalities and polls. We may roll our eyes at the news or shout at our TV screens. But we can do these things freely, without fear of retribution. And while that may seem like a given, it’s actually a rare and hard-earned privilege, a gift safeguarded by generations before us and preserved, ideally, through mutual respect and civic engagement.

So next time you see a protest, or better yet, participate in one, take a moment to appreciate not just the cause, but the freedom that allows it. Agree or disagree, the ability to speak, march and assemble peacefully is not just a right. It’s a cornerstone of what it means to live in a democratic society.

And as for the officer I spoke with? He didn’t seem fazed by the signs, the slogans or the sea of motion in front of him. He just stood there, a quiet sentinel, making sure that the protest remained peaceful, not because he agreed or disagreed, but because it’s his job to protect that freedom.

The officer’s words reminded me of the importance of peaceful protest. In a world where tensions can run high, it’s crucial that we prioritize dialogue, understanding and nonviolent expression. By doing so, we create a space for constructive debate, where differing opinions can be shared and respected. The ability to engage in open discourse, even when that discourse is contentious, is a cornerstone of our civic life. It is a right that should be both cherished and exercised responsibly.

And that, I think, is something we can all salute.