Ferguson, Missouri, are protestors going to far?

As citizens of the United States we are granted the freedom of speech and the freedom to lawfully gather to protest actions that we feel are detrimental to the well being of our community. So, with that said I have no problem with the "peaceful protests" that have been happening in Ferguson, Missouri over the shooting death of Michael Brown but a local police officer.

There have been a few violent protestor's and they have been arrested as necessary. As pointed out in an earlier blog over 80% of those arrested have been people who don't even live in the Ferguson, Missouri area or for that matter, many don't even live in Missouri.

But we have entered into a new strategy by those protestors who want to go further than peaceful demonstrations. Protestors are now searching out the families of police officers and following them around town and harassing them as often as possible. This includes verbal taunting, kicking their cars as they enter or exit them, throwing things at them, etc.

To me this seems way beyond the action of peaceful protests. The family members of officers who were not even involved in this shooting are being threatened. Their children now fear to leave their home or even go to school.

Is this truly what our society meant to have happen when it gave the rights for peaceful protests? I don't think those. All this does is anger the police officer whose family has been intimidated, verbally abused and threatened. This action spans three different branches of law enforcement officers and their families. At last look Michael Brown was shot by just one officer, none of these others were involved and certainly none of their families were involved.

So, I call upon the Rev. Al Sharpton and the local Clergy and Protest Leaders to call for calm, to call out those using these tactics and do what they can to get them to stop before we have more violent confrontations between the officers and the protestors.

The protestor's need to stop and think, wouldn't they protect their family from someone attacking them? Well, what do they think the police officer will do when he sees his children in danger? So far they have shown great restraint, which again goes back to show the training they receive. But if these actions continue to happen I don't think that these officers can restrain their natural protective instincts forever. Eventually human nature will kick in and they will protect their families.

So, what is the answer?  Jesus Christ is the answer and the following of His teachings. That is why I am calling on the clergy to step up and teach their congregations and their communities what proper action is on the part of a "peaceful demonstrating public."