Have we completely lost the distinction between public space and private space?

As a democratic society, we need to protect and defend “the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” That’s basic and should be indisputable in this country. That doesn’t mean, however, that there should be no restrictions placed on where and when protests, demonstrations, and other peaceful assemblies are held or how they are conducted. Holding a rally in front of a courthouse or the White House is an American tradition that must be upheld. But for a crowd to go to someone’s home in a residential neighborhood and make noise at all hours of the day and night, that’s another matter. We have laws against trespassing and against disturbing the peace for good reason.

In March, some Black Lives Matter protesters, banging on drums, showed up on the front porch of the house belonging to the Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey and her husband, David Allan Lacey. The article in POLITICO (https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/08/04/becerra-charges-lost-angeles-das-husband-for-pulling-gun-on-black-lives-matter-protesters-1304943) fails to mention one important fact. This occurred at 5:30 in the morning. As you can see in the video clip, David Lacey pointed a gun at the trespassers and told them to “Get off of my porch!” and further said “We’re calling the police right now.”

Lacey’s opponent in the upcoming LA D.A. race, George Gascón, has been endorsed by the California Democratic Party. The state’s Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, has just filed assault charges against David Lacey. Is the AG’s action politically motivated? I don’t know.

So how should we view this? Do we believe that a homeowner should not be allowed to point a gun at people who aren’t threatening physical violence, even if they’re trespassing? Do we think that people shouldn’t show up on other people’s doorstep at 5:30 in the morning, banging on drums, and demanding a meeting? It seems to me that both parties are in the wrong in this case. Trespassing on private property can be a punishable offense. Protesting in a residential neighborhood, at least when done loudly, disruptively, and at odd hours, should be limited, if not prohibited, as well. Pointing a weapon at someone (whether it’s loaded or not) should be a last resort, not the first action taken when confronting people who aren’t armed.

Since California’s AG saw fit to take legal action against the gun owner, I would also like to see legal action taken against the trespassers, unless they left the private property as soon as they were told to by the owner. And I would like to see disciplinary action taken against the professor who led the intruders.

Melina Abdullah teaches Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, where she is setting a terrible example for her students.

I’m front of DA Jackie Lacey’s house for that community meeting she promised with the @BLMLA crew. Rang her bell to invite her.

Her husband pulled a gun, cocked it, pointed it at my chest and said “I’ll shoot you. I don’t care who you are.” @WP4BL @RealJusticePAC @shaunking pic.twitter.com/WtazUWSJIC

— Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) March 2, 2020