American citizens have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is important to note that the same rights apply to each and every individual, and therefore they cannot be used as justification for harming other people. #Protesters in Minneapolis were infringing on the rights of others, which is why the Minneapolis Police arrested protesters who were blocking traffic and using the opportunity this generated to commit other crimes.
Activists have held public protests many times over the years as a means to voice their opinions and gain attention for one issue or another. One of the fastest ways they can attract attention is by blocking traffic, and the reason this works is that it prevents other citizens from living their own lives. The Minneapolis #Police Department was not violating the First Amendment rights of protesters by arresting them for breaking the law. The First Amendment protects "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The right to assemble is protected, but it must be done in a peaceful manner without causing harm to others.
The Minneapolis Police Department later clarified their reason for making arrests: people were not arrested because they were protesting, but because they were breaking laws by committing acts of public indecency, blocking traffic, trespassing on private property, and breaking curfew. The #FirstAmendment does not protect these actions because they are not part of any peaceable assembly.
Protesters’ decision to block traffic by walking in the middle of the road did not bring peace, but irritation and anger, and it interfered with motorists' ability to safely reach their destinations. This likely caused hardships to several employers since people would not be able to get to work if protesters were blocking their path. While it was no doubt infuriating to drivers, that is not the biggest concern... because blocking traffic can have much worse consequences, such as restriction of travel during emergencies and life and death situations.
When protesters stop traffic, they do not only hinder or annoy commuters. They also make it impossible for emergency vehicles to pass. This is one of the main reasons why blocking traffic is illegal. Consider the October 2022 protest that shut down Dartford Bridge in the UK, causing the deaths of two women. They were struck by a vehicle and died waiting for an ambulance that took 40 minutes to arrive because traffic was blocked by protesters.
It is very important to understand that certain freedoms are protected by the government, but people are not allowed to impede or infringe on the #freedom of others. The protests in Minneapolis would have been an appropriate response if they were peaceful, but the tactics were extreme and put the lives of protesters, bystanders, and police in danger.
