While we all admire Armstrong's tremendous accomplishments in life, his support of a statewide smoking ban in Texas is a tremendous mistake. Smoking bans infringe on personal freedom and choice, and they violate private property rights.
So the AFP members showed up with their signs and spirit to let the Legislature - and the gathered media - know there's more than one side to this debate.
Thursday gave us a taste of how contentious this fight will be in the Legislature; about 10 minutes after the AFP folks showed up at the Capitol to protest peacefully, they were cordoned off by an even-larger number of Texas State Troopers.
First, the troopers tried to move the AFP activists far away from the Capitol steps, saying they had no permit - therefore, no right - to protest the ant-smoking rally. When the activists challenged that claim, the troopers simply stood in front of the group. When challenged even further about the Constitutional rights that were apparently being violated, the troopers did this:
Caution tape? Really?!!
Who were they trying to protect the crowd from? Opposing views?
AFP's intern James took the free speech violations in stride:
In the end, AFP got a lot more attention for their cause, thanks to the troopers' attempt to keep their opposing voices at bay. Their views got a lot of media play, which they might not have received otherwise. So maybe AFP owes a big "Thank You" to the Texas DPS for sending out the troopers and helping their cause.Click the links below to see AFP and the smoking ban protest in the news:
(Be sure to read through all of the comments, then post your own!)
Lance Armstrong lends support to statewide smoking ban
Some breathe deeply, others fume as Armstrong lends support
Watch the video here
Armstrong rides back into Texas to help ban smoking
Armstrong urges smoking ban in Texas
It's important to make your voice heard in the debate. Luckily, you don't have to worry about Texas State Troopers censoring your voice on Internet forums, so post away!
1 comment:
Great job guys!! The police only drew more attention to your cause by (wrongfully) putting up caution tape and trying to silence you.
I do not smoke, but I support business owners to allow smoking in their establishments. I wear contacts that sometimes get irrated by smoke, but if that happens I have the freedom to walk out of the place.
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