Earlier today from my window I heard the sound of drums beating from down the street. Within moments I was greeted by a scene that was both hilariously absurd and deeply disturbing.

Marching down the sidewalk in single file were roughly 20 protestors, beating drums and carrying signs displaying slogans like "Stop Bush" (of course with the "s" in Bush replaced with a swastika). One sign read "End The Police State", which was particularly poignant since marching on the sidewalk alongside the protestors were about 30 NYPD officers in riot gear, with a half-dozen police vehicles cruising on the street alongside at the infantry's pace. The police marched face forward, as though pretending the protesters weren't there. From my 14th floor window I could see that each officer had attached to his belt a massive bundle of plastic "handcuffs", I estimated enough between the 30 officers to completely encase all 20 protestors in plastic cocoons.

So what I want to know is, why were the police expending so much energy (and taxpayer money) to intimidate these people? Most Americans know that the very first amendment of our constitution clearly states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

That being the case, what law is it exactly that the police were enforcing today? It certainly appeared that "abridging" the protest was high on their list of priorities.

Why do our lawmakers consider freedom of speech to be an unbreakable tenet, yet when it comes to freedom of assembly there seems to be all the wiggle-room in the world?