PROTESTERS: Civil immunity in effect?

I think I could call my life in Cd’A “normative.” The city police answered my call when a neighbor broke in and grappled with my husband on our living room floor. We expected that a prosecutor and a judge would follow (A conviction and sentence did result).

But as a U.S. Census federal agent, I put the security guard at a gated community into the “prerogative” realm when I insisted that my status entitled me to enter and log the addresses on my assignment sheet. He finally let me in, but let me know that this entry was against their policy.

I might not have thought this through! I would like to regularly join the “No Kings” protests, as a peaceful demonstration is a “normative” avenue to express doubt and disapproval of public policy. This would be respected by even those citizens that disagreed because of our shared regard for free speech.

But I don’t like the rifles that some are carrying. I introduced myself to AR carrying “Sam” who was very friendly and told me frankly that he, and some other buddies, came to “protect.” I understood that they were not among the NKs protesters. Would the charges and prosecution be the same if it was “Sam” or if it was one of the protesters who did the shooting? If the incident didn’t spiral into a federal case, I think our local judiciary and law enforcement would handle things lawfully … in our “normative” state.

But, protesters, be careful. You may be entering a “prerogative” zone that may end up under federal jurisdiction, whose players may enjoy a civil immunity that does not reach to you.

CHERYL GROUNDS
Coeur d'Alene