Drawing Parallels

 The outrage that was rampant after the all girl, Russian punk band, Pussy Riot was arrested for performing a protest song in a Russian Orthodox Cathedral is, I know, not new news anymore, but it is something that I still hear about on a daily basis. I hear so many people express how angry they are that a government would trample on the human right to protest without being sentenced to years in jail. Yes, Pussy Riot is inspiring, and whenever I need to read something empowering, their closing statement satisfies that need.

However, what I believe is a serious problem is that it is so easy for people to be outraged over lack of human rights in other countries, but they don’t realize that it is not that much different in America. A piece a news that’s even OLDER than Pussy Riot being arrested is a bill called the Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act that passed in the House of Representatives and was signed into effect by President Obama in March.  Nicknamed the ‘Trespass Bill,’ this piece of legislation criminalizes any protesting, disruptive conduct, and anything that impedes the conduct of official government functions in a place that is being protected by the Secret Service. The thing about the Secret Service is that they tend to work… secretly and behind the scenes. This means that if you’re intending on protesting anything, you could be facing a year in jail. Sound familiar?

So when planning your next rally, protest, or walk, look into the new restrictions. You don’t want to end up in jail for a spontaneously organized Take Back The Night.