A Tale of Two Protests (Florence v. Sheffield)

 

We're not particular fans of public protests since many don't seem to end well...as in they sometimes end in arrest, violence, or even death; however, we are ardent fans of the First Amendment. The past few years have seen several protests in Florence and the surrounding area. While we may not support the causes at the root of all these protests, we do support their legality.

We commend the City of Florence for handling these protests in a conservative manner and thus keeping our fair city out of the Daily Mail. Have other local towns performed as well as Florence? Sadly, no.

Pictured above is a small protest held in front of Pope's Tavern, a city owned museum. Someone inside the museum called authorities on the protesters, obviously believing the First Amendment applied to only some. Whoever called soon saw the Florence Police, after speaking with the anti-Brian Murphy group, simply bid the group a good day and depart the scene. Bravo, FPD.

Now, let's look at Sheffield, the City on the Bluff or Center of the Shoals or Landing Inspirationist or whatever the term dujour. Some months ago, the Sheffield Police were called to a one-man protest of the Sheffield Public Library. 

Mr. Jack Eastep was protesting what he saw as elitism at the town's public library. In today's world, many libraries do serve as the daytime home of the otherwise homeless. While this sign may have meant well, it bears no signature and is certainly subject to interpretation. Mr. Eastep decided to protest this public library policy, but was not even located in front of the library itself. He was initially charged with creating a public disturbance and resisting arrest (he asked the officers their names).

Some time later, Jack found that he was also charged with a third misdemeanor. He had been accused by the librarian on duty that day of harassment. Was there anything threatening in Eastep's behavior? A quick look at the officers' body cams should provide the answer, but so far he has been denied that.

If we give the City of Florence an "A" in its handling of the Brian Murphy protest, we have to give Sheffield a "D" for arresting Mr. Eastep. This is not a good look for the city, a city with enough current problems to float either a battleship or John Elkington, whichever is larger.