NPR

Police Struggle To Balance Public Safety With Free Speech During Protests

After a series of violent political protests, police feel pressure to err on the side of caution, but too much crowd control can curb free speech. One former police chief calls it a "guessing game."

A controversial alt-right political rally planned for San Francisco on Saturday afternoon has been canceled. Organizers announced the decision Friday afternoon, saying hostility from local politicians and leftist activists made the situation too dangerous. But concerns about protests on both sides linger, so the police remain on alert.

Striking the right balance between free speech and public safety has become a challenge for local police departments, this year, as demonstrators show

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
We Asked, You Answered: Let's Make A Toast To The Ways You Keep Calm And Carry On
Our readers responded to our callout, sharing the strategies they use to lift their spirits in the face of setbacks and woes. And yes, one way is: A jam happy face on toast!
NPR6 min read
As Student Protesters Get Arrested, They Risk Being Banned From Campus Too
Students continue to protest at campuses across the country, despite the risk of arrest. Some schools now threaten demonstrators with disciplinary action, while others promise the opposite.
NPR2 min read
CDC Says 3 Women Diagnosed With HIV After Receiving 'Vampire Facial'
Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the CDC said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.

Related Books & Audiobooks