Peaceful protests do not constitute civil unrest

Dear Editor,

Just when you think you have heard it all, and things could not get worse something even more bizarre comes out of City Hall, the latest being Patricia Chase-Green seeking to blame Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan for “taking misinformation to the public on the parking meter contract, and causing ‘civil unrest’.

First of all, someone needs to tell the Mayor that peaceful demonstrations and protests that abide by the law, such as the one held by civil society and the Movement Against Parking Meters, do not constitute civil unrest. Civil unrest is typically defined by law enforcement as a gathering of three or more people, in reaction to an event, with the intention of causing a public disturbance in violation of the law. Civil unrest typically involves damage to property or injury to other people.

The Collins Dictionary defines ‘Civil unrest’ as fighting between different groups of people living in the same country, and losses caused by this fighting are usually not covered by insurance.

The Travel Industry Dictionary defines ‘Civil unrest’ as a loose term to describe anti-government activities as varied as organised protests, rioting, general strikes, arson and looting, and armed insurrection. Sometimes used as a euphemism for civil war.

How could the Mayor of a capital city not know simple concepts and meanings like this? To make it worse, is Councillor Bostwick calling for Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan to prove why he should not be disciplined.

Martin Luther king Jr once said “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity”.

Best regards,

Sambu Jacobus