On MLK day...

We need to reread what he wrote in "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and said in his speeches.

Without cutting and pasting--anybody can find it and read it easily enough, and I don't want to upset David, Tom, Boilerman, etc. with the blasphemous words of a "darkie"--alliow me to paraphrase.

MLK said that we have not only the right but also the moral obligation: to disobey unjust laws; to protest against unjust laws; to engage in non-violent civil disobedience and be willing to accept the consequences thereof, such as jail time.

Tom will now chime in with one of his fantasy stories about protesters destroying entire city blocks. David will tell us that it's unAmerican to protest the wise and wonderful actions of Noble Dear Leader and people should be shot for it. Boiler will say that "Liberals" (misspelling the word a la Trump) are in cahoots with space aliens to destroy America and protests are just attempts to sap our precious bodily fluids.

But everyone else...do you agree that the words of MLK are even more relevant today than they were then? Back then, it was about the rights of colored people (and by extension, of all). Now, it's about, unequivocally, the right of all to protest. It's also about our moral obligation to do so.

The price of being thrown in jail is being paid. The risk of being killed for protesting is being endured. The moral obligation to disobey and protest against unjust laws is being fulfilled.

MLK's words grow stronger as our nation grows weaker and changes into a fascist dictatorship. If only he were alive now. Or maybe not--Trump would have sent his goons to shoot him.

We have the obligation to observe his legacy and learn from his words.

Just what "unjust laws" are you referring to? 

MLK didn't refer to any specific laws, though at the time, he was fighting racial discrimination overall and laws and policies that were endemic to the deep South, such as school segregation, racial bans on public access, etc.

If you're talking about present-day unjust laws, I'm referring to the recent decrees Trump has issued regarding the rounding up, detention, and deportation of SUSPECTED illegal immigrants without due process or habeas corpus. I'm also referring to Trump's orders for his thugs to disregard people's right to protest. I'm referring to his unlawful use of the Insurrection Act to justify his military invasion of American cities. 

MLK did refer to resistance against the unjust use of ordinarily just laws. Such as his Freedom Marches being labeled "riots" and thus, violent police actions with that as a pretext committed against the marchers. Like the George Floyd protests or the present anti-iCE protests. Trump unlawfully labels them as "riots" and "insurrectionists" to justify siccing his digs on the protestors. Just like Selma did to MLK.

If one crossed the border illegally they are not "suspected" as being a criminal - they are a criminal according to law and have no right to due process or habeas corpus . The only " thugs" are those who oppose the legal right to arrest and deport illegal aliens. What MLK said has nothing to do with today's circumstances in Minnesota. 

But without proper due process how do we find out whether or not someone is here legally? 

Just think for a moment. Let's say someone enters California and a cop finds a magazine on them that appears to be capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Should that person be immediately sent to prison? 

With proper due process it could be discovered that the magazine has been plugged and only holds 10 rounds. Or that it was bought before the ban and his grandfathered in. Or that the ban violates the Constitution. 

It is with some frequency that officers, even well intentioned officers, are mistaken. 

We have already had multiple people arrested for being here illegally when they have green cards or other legal status. They spoke broken English and didn't have an ID on them so they were arrested. It isn't illegal to not have ID on you. 

All criminals have the right to due process and habeas corpus. Regardless of immigration status. 

There are some nutty laws still on books:

It is illegal to tie a giraffe to a lamppost in Georgia.

It is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs after 7 pm in Arizona.

It is illegal to wear a fake mustache in church in Alabama.

Elephants on Market Street in San Francisco must be on a leash.

Women in California can't drive in housecoats.

Just some light reading there.  LOL.

Candy

  To answer your question - when one enters the US legally they are provided / proof /paperwork attesting to their legal right to be in the US. If one cannot provide proof of legally being in the US - when asked to provide proof - then they are subject to arrest and deportation. It is the responsibility of the person in question to provide proof of legal residency - such as a Green Card or other government documents. It has been documented that a small percentage of people have been detained - but were later released when they produced the required paperwork that they knew would be required to produce if detained. Illegal criminals are not " entitled" to the rights given to others who are legally in America.

Your ignorance is shocking.

Civil rights belong to ALL people, not just American citizens. "Illegal criminals" are indeed "entitled" to the same rights as everyone else. And those rights aren't "given"; they're something every human already possesses, whether a government acknowledges that or not.

That you fundamentally misunderstand civil rights explains your attitudes and overall worldview.

That's utterly false. EVERYONE has the right to due process and habeas corpus. ESPECIALLY if they are accused of a crime.

I know that MAGA tells us that ILLEGULS aren't human and have no civil rights. You're just their parrot.

But with any crime the burden of proof is on the government not on the accused. 

Should everyone be required to produce said paperwork on demand? Should federal agents be able to stop YOU randomly and demand  you prove citizenship? Do you carry your passport on you at all times? Is that what we are accepting now in our country? Papers please?