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."
by Martin Kaste
Aug 26, 2017
3 minutes
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
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