It does seem like they should be required to pay for their own security, and require that it be provided by either off-duty LE or commissioned security. Minimum of four guards, plus one for every five protesters.iratollah wrote:City of Houston probably spent $10,000 - $15,000 providing protection for four of these hate mongers to spread their venom around our city on a Sunday and Monday. If they choose to go out in public to incite and be inflammatory, why should I pay for their protection? I'm subsidizing their brand of hate. Sure they have free speech, but if they want to be stupid about it and put themselves into situations where they intend to cause conflict, why should I pay for their fun?
Heck, we just got to watch an estimated $30-50k worth of tax money spent on additional security for a play that was ultimately cancelled the night before it was to be performed. The protest didn't happen either, but there were dozens of cops on hand to watch the empty protest area. (I thought about making up huge sign that says "I HAVE A HUGE SIGN" and marching there just so they'd have something to do.)