The past decade has seen an increase in public rallies and protests in Philadelphia and across the U.S. For the vast majority of participants, these demonstrations are safe and empowering. Gathering in the open to voice support for a cause is an American right, guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, integral, even to a healthy democracy.

Still, there’s a line between peaceful civil disobedience and arrestable actions. Examples: Most speech is protected; using your voice to incite unwarranted panic or unlawful activity is not. Gathering is legal, but preventing others from getting where they are trying to go is not. Ditto, you know, hurting others, breaking or damaging things that don’t belong to you (including stores and police vehicles).

Although most public meet-ups are peaceful, it’s be

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