Many times we may
think that voicing our opinion wherever possible is something that is
acceptable. We are able to protest and
march wherever we want because the space is public and open for everyone. That makes us feels a sense of freedom that
we want to take advantage of, but are public spaces really public? Or should
they be public? No, they should
not. The number one important factor is
safety and many times these events turn violent therefore the government should
decide what can be done in what space.
Public spaces
such as streets, parks, squares and plazas should be used for what they are
intended for. Streets should be used as
a form of transportation for cars, bicycle riders, pedestrians, etc. People should not be allowed to protest in
areas like these because it can be very disruptive. For example, if there was a protest on the
street I use to go to work I would have to find an alternate route that would
result in me being late for work which, depending on the job, can lead to
getting fired. Parks are a place for
people to relax, enjoy the weather, and have a good time. I do not think that it is respectful and
appropriate to protest in a place like these because you are ruining someone’s
day. People go to parks to enjoy their
day and if they are suddenly surprised by a loud commotion, it can really upset
them. If there are parents with their
kids it can be even more frustrating because protests can turn violent which
means the parent has to be worried and alert all the time or remove themselves
from the situation which can be disappointing because the day out with their
kids is ruined. As for squares and
plazas the owner of those places should be able to decide what is done there
and what is not. Although it may be a
“public space”, at the end of the day there is always someone who is the
“”official” owner, the person who stays in charge of the place.
Protests
should not be allowed in public spaces because they can turn violent and
jeopardize the security of others.
Walljasper gave us an example in “From Middle East to Madison, Justice
Depends on Public Spaces” where he mentions, “…people express their aspirations
and face bloody reprisals…” This is a
clear example of how dangerous a protest can turn. The people can be so pumped up and determined
to get there mission across that when officials arrive to observe them, they
often see it as a threat and as if they will be stopped. This is when they start attacking the armed
forces and a fight breaks out, turning a calm protest into a battlefield. This is when things get dangerous. You never know what people around may be
carrying so someone with a gun can pull it out and start shooting causing a
riot that can have deadly and unfortunate results. People that are also walking by minding their
own business can be suddenly pulled into this battlefield and all of a sudden
be part of it, just because the person looked like a normal citizen that could
be part of a protest. That is not fair
because you are put in a dangerous predicament without anyone telling you and
all you were doing was trying to get from point A to point B.
The
government should be able to decide what to do with these spaces because it is
necessary for someone to put order. As
Berg briefly states in “The Occupy Movement and the New Public Space”, “But the public spaces we’re
looking at should be more appropriately defined as publicly accessible
places subject to the rules of its owner, the government…” It is extremely crucial for rules to be set
in these places or else people will take advantage of their freedom and do
whatever they want, literally. If
everyone does whatever their heart desires, these places can turn chaotic. People
will be people, which means they may do things that others do not view as
appropriate. The government only wants
the best for their people which includes keeping them safe and content. Clearly, these rules would not be anything
too crazy and out of hand but just something that can work to keep order. If order is kept than everyone will be happy
because they do not have to feel threatened any where they go.
In
the end, we have to keep in mind that out safety comes first. If any of our actions at any time put others
in danger, then something is being done wrong.
Placing rules in places where order can be essential is important
because everyone wants to feel a sense of safety wherever it is that they go.
Work
Cited
Berg, Nate. “The Occupy Movement
and the New Public Space”. The Atlantic
Cities. November 22, 2011. Web
Walljasper, Jay. “From
Middle East to Madison, Justice Depends on Public Spaces”. Reading Culture: Contexts for Critical Reading and Writing. Eds.
Diana George and John Trimbur. Boston: Pearson, 2012.
