2008 Woodie Awards
Can't We All Just Get Along?
Katrina Cockerill
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Opinion
The first amendment, that wonderful set of rights that allow the freedom speech we enjoy today. As well as freedom of speech, the First Amendment provides for freedom of the press, the right for citizens to assemble and petition the government regarding issues that concern them.
It is the cornerstone of the freedoms we enjoy as American Citizens. It is the freedom to say what we want, when we want and how we want, with only a few restrictions. And where is the bastion of free speech emanating out of the sixties-- Berkeley, California of course.
But, is Berkeley free speech based on first Amendment rights or is it more of a special interest free speech based on the protest group of the moment.
This just happened to be the case when a group calling themselves "Code Pink" wanted to oust Marine Corps recruiters from the City of Berkeley -don't they realize these guys and gals storm beaches for a living.
Anyway, according to one of "Code Pink's" Web Sites, this group is organized to resist military recruiting in Berkeley and other cities. In Berkeley, they want to set up zoning restrictions that will limit military recruiting in the City of Berkeley. And let me remind you, this is not even on the school's property, it's a block down away.
Many in the city responded and banners were hung and demands were made. The city was in an uproar.
Influenced by "Code Pink", who set up there own base outside the city council chambers, the city council happily joined the protest by voting to limit Marine Corps recruiting activities in downtown Berkeley and calling the Marines "Unwelcome and uninvited intruders." The city Council also voted to give "Code Pink" space outside the recruitment office to carry out protest activities.
The people of Berkeley seemed to be much on "Code Pink's" side. The people were quoted saying Military Recruiters were "not welcome in this city." With such a strong force behind them, it was starting to look as if the public was getting their point across; it was starting to look like the military would be out of Berkeley for good.
It is the cornerstone of the freedoms we enjoy as American Citizens. It is the freedom to say what we want, when we want and how we want, with only a few restrictions. And where is the bastion of free speech emanating out of the sixties-- Berkeley, California of course.
But, is Berkeley free speech based on first Amendment rights or is it more of a special interest free speech based on the protest group of the moment.
This just happened to be the case when a group calling themselves "Code Pink" wanted to oust Marine Corps recruiters from the City of Berkeley -don't they realize these guys and gals storm beaches for a living.
Anyway, according to one of "Code Pink's" Web Sites, this group is organized to resist military recruiting in Berkeley and other cities. In Berkeley, they want to set up zoning restrictions that will limit military recruiting in the City of Berkeley. And let me remind you, this is not even on the school's property, it's a block down away.
Many in the city responded and banners were hung and demands were made. The city was in an uproar.
Influenced by "Code Pink", who set up there own base outside the city council chambers, the city council happily joined the protest by voting to limit Marine Corps recruiting activities in downtown Berkeley and calling the Marines "Unwelcome and uninvited intruders." The city Council also voted to give "Code Pink" space outside the recruitment office to carry out protest activities.
The people of Berkeley seemed to be much on "Code Pink's" side. The people were quoted saying Military Recruiters were "not welcome in this city." With such a strong force behind them, it was starting to look as if the public was getting their point across; it was starting to look like the military would be out of Berkeley for good.