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On the story about the gun-slinging legal team in St. Louis, @fairleyraney is getting trolled by an account that aligns with a well-known foreign disinfo operative.
That said, the troll brings up an excellent topic about the rights of Americans. (thread)
That said, the troll brings up an excellent topic about the rights of Americans. (thread)
The question: What rights do American citizens have in expressing political speech on private property?
The answer: More rights than the trolls may think. https://twitter.com/charlesthomas/status/1277576909656915971?s=20
The answer: More rights than the trolls may think. https://twitter.com/charlesthomas/status/1277576909656915971?s=20
The troll account points out that the marchers in St. Louis were walking down a street in a private, loosely gated community.
State law is clear that the “defense of premises” provision does not apply to property outside the threshold of the premises. https://twitter.com/charlesthomas/status/1277577314910511110?s=20
State law is clear that the “defense of premises” provision does not apply to property outside the threshold of the premises. https://twitter.com/charlesthomas/status/1277577314910511110?s=20
Further, Americans have broad rights to engage in political speech on private property -- in this case, a street in a gated community.
It’s worth noting that they’re on the most solid ground if they’re on that property at the invitation of an owner.
It’s worth noting that they’re on the most solid ground if they’re on that property at the invitation of an owner.
Most of the case law involves civic activity in shopping malls – private concerns that invite the public in.
As a reporter, I know that I enter a shopping for a story about last-minute Christmas shopping. I also know that if the management asks me to leave, then I have to leave.
As a reporter, I know that I enter a shopping for a story about last-minute Christmas shopping. I also know that if the management asks me to leave, then I have to leave.
If I’m interviewing people on the sidewalk in front of City Hall, on the other hand, and the mayor asks me to leave, then the mayor is basically SOL. I don’t have to leave.
In the case of a gated community, if even one resident of that community has invited the group in, then the assembly is permitted to be there. If the police ask them to leave, then they have to leave.
But one guy doesn’t get to make that call.
But one guy doesn’t get to make that call.
I don’t know if the marchers sought permission to enter the neighborhood; it would be smart if they did so in the future.
It’s worth remembering that foreign operatives have been stirring up trouble on social media since the protests in Ferguson, so this is nothing new.
If you look at @charlesthomas’s thread, you’ll see that he’s being swarmed by odd-looking accounts.
They seem to be trying to normalize the idea that oligarchs call the shots. The image of The People taking space amidst a huge display of wealth seems to really chap their hides.
They seem to be trying to normalize the idea that oligarchs call the shots. The image of The People taking space amidst a huge display of wealth seems to really chap their hides.
Really, it’s not surprising that people who do not have the same rights as American citizens would take the “warlord wants you out” position – or that they would want to punish us for exercising rights that they could never dream of.
(end thread)
(end thread)
