From E.M. Smith at Musings from the Chiefio:
Can Organizations Opposed To Trump Be Sued For Damages?
One of my general concerns is when a legal precedent is set “for a good cause” that is so wide it can later be used for the exact opposite causes. An “end justified the means” effect that then means the “means” can be used for other “ends”.
In this case, I’m thinking of the Southern Poverty Law center “take down” of the KKK. In that case, they put forward the then novel idea that an organization can be held responsible for the actions of the members individually. That is now “settled law”. The KKK lost, their headquarters was sold off and the group essentially forced to disband. The Left loves this ruling.
Yet now we have a couple of groups such as Black Lives Matter and MoveOn.org that are clearly and actively recruiting people to disrupt Trump rallies and deny fundamental rights to his supporters. Freedom of assembly. Freedom of speech. Etc.
Furthermore, it wouldn’t take Trump to have “standing”. ALL those folks in Arizona currently stuck in a traffic jam have “standing” to sue for loss of time, gasoline, liberties and rights, endangerment (and if any have kids with them “Child Endangerment” as Arizona Sun without water can be life threatening). I’d further speculate that the “organizers” could be held liable for all the excess Police Costs involved. There is ample precedent for “recovery” of police costs from things like folks setting forest fires, even accidentally, or rescue costs even if you didn’t ask to be rescued and someone ELSE decided you needed it. To me, it looks like blocking a road with cars sideways is clearly a violation of law. Are not illegal acts subject to prosecution and suit?
They would shriek to the high heavens - it would be a delight to see them being held responsible for their actions for once.
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