@jessicabpleasant: While driving through a suburban area in New Hampshire, I came across three protesters and decided to stop to see what their message was. My intention was simply to ask what they were protesting. Before the conversation even began, one of them immediately told me that I had to ask nicely and that I could not film. I responded that we were in a public place, that they were free to do their thing, I was free to do mine, and that we were both exercising our First Amendment rights. It was interesting that the first interaction was not about the issue they were protesting, but about trying to set rules for how I could engage in a public space. As the conversation continued, one of the protesters argued that the Trump administration had violated the Constitution and had done things they believed were unconstitutional. Regardless of where anyone stands politically, I found it telling that I received pushback before I had even asked a single question. I approached the situation to hear their perspective, but the interaction started with restrictions rather than an open exchange of ideas.

Jessica B Pleasant

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Region: US

Saturday 01 August 2026 17:21:06 GMT