Protesting fine but ditch the face covers

Every day we hear of demonstrations, protests, fundraising walks and sit-ins, all in the name of hope.

Many come to my mind including Black Friday here in Sydney when the steel plant was on the verge of closing, the show of support in Sydney for our veterans and the various walks to bring awareness and appeals for medical research funding.

I have attended many of these walks, demonstrations and protests and never witnessed anyone covering their face.

Today’s uprisings are tainted with those who destroy property, loot and rob all under the guise of rights to demonstrate while covering their faces like cowards and criminals. If you believe in a cause such as supporting our veterans or protesting a government decisions that impacts negatively on people why cover your face?

Webster’s dictionary defines protest as: 1) to complain strongly about; and 2) to declare positively. Our country offers freedom of speech but there are consequences if you tread into slander or libel and untruths. Many hold the opinion that demonstrating is a God-given right. However, again there are consequences when an individual goes beyond a peaceful demonstration involving destroying property, slander and disobedience.

My complaint concerns those who cover their face while protesting and demonstrating. The right to protest must remain. However, our federal government must enact a bill limiting the cowards who are abusive and destructive before slinking off into the crowd. The government could decrease the willful damage caused if they wished and, hopefully, provinces would fall into line.

If you are sincere uncover your face. Lynn Pollock Sydney