Rick HasenVerified account

Even if you believe the other side has odious political ideas, confronting non-violent people with violence is unacceptable. /2

Those in mob assaulting peaceful Trump supporters should be stopped and then prosecuted. Such conduct is despicable /3

And it's important to say EVERY TIME that such violence is unacceptable lest it become normalized or an excuse for violence by adversaries/4

Sure, violence is counterproductive and will be used to make victims out of bullies. But that's not main objection, which is a moral one /5

And don't expect others to know you have the moral objection to violence. By stating the objection, we strengthen it /6

It is going to be a long, hot summer with poential for violence, especially with conventions, and rhetoric of bigotry coming from Trump /7

People should feel free to protest, and speak their minds. But this only works if all sides restrain those who would commit violence /8

and if police are smart and nimble and sensitive dealing with protests. It is a tall order in this environment. /9

But our democracy depends on getting this right, and doing the right thing when violence does erupt. /10

The saddest thing is that this has to be said, and I'm sure repeated. I fear for our country the next few months. /11 -End-