The Sociological, Psychological and Public Health Impact of American Riots:The Implication for Martial Law Draws Nearer

America was based on freedoms, civil liberties and civil rights. From the American Revolution, Civil War and Civil Rights Era Americans have always possessed the right to express themselves through free speech. Rights like these were guaranteed in the Constitution . However, what happens when a community extends that right to the "razors edge" ? Both Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King proved that through non-violent and peaceful approaches of expression great changes could be effected in a society that may be "temporarily" blind-sided by forgetting its past achievements and gains in human rights. A nation has to regularly sit down and review itself with deep reflection and introspection. However, if the "bureaucracy" of a nation doesn't permit the expression of civil rights or civil liberties which is protected under the Constitution of the United States of America , there can be painful results for any community. America saw major rioting erupt at different times in its history, instead of looking at the specific causation of them now, the fact that a community felt its civil liberties and civil rights were threatened is cause to pause. What results is that the breakdown of society , the rate of inappropriate behavior can lead to many societal ills if peace by the peaceful protestors is not maintained but hijacked by those with their own agenda including breaking into stores, homes, mass looting and violence against other persons. Some rioting has even included mass arson or burning down property . These have economical, psychological, sociological and health implications in the aftermath. What effect does this have on the psyche of a community trying to operate within a struggling economy? Mass rioting or looting can interrupt general trade and commerce and when it does, it's not pretty.It can further burden civil and municipal services. It could reduce or halt Electric, gas, sanitation , water services and effect other commercial services for the home and community such as mass communications. Soon a community can look potentially like Beiruit or burned out neighborhood of Baghdad . Mass rioting can possibly effect emergency medical services, hospital emergency and physician accessibility. At this point the state will feel obligated to "call up" the national guard. The military or police force will feel justified in taking Executive Action( whatever means necessary) which means mass round ups, the halting of transportation, personal movement and around the clock curfews including identity checks. The things that occurred in Boston recently where police and other para-military forces were allowed to enter a citizens home without a search warrant will be widespread without a doubt. If peaceful marches morph into something other than expressions of the freedom of speech, it will justify in effect the state to issue martial law; they will have no other choice. This is why both the media and civil rights leaders need to take special responsibility and precautions for what they say and do, now. Because heated discussions can inflame the passions of the public to take unpredictable actions based on their banter . There are laws against inciting a riot as well which both of these groups must be held accountable for if their actions and their words exceed what the law protects. It is a civil right for both the media talking heads and the organizers of protest to guard against the infiltration of their groups with others with personal or "hidden agendas" to "hijack" a noble act or by transforming it into something that will deteriorate into something this country will not be able to handle will be devastating for the entire nation for a very long time. We are living in sensitive era that call for extraordinary people with extraordinary calm to make extraordinary choices to maintain a balance, this may be the last chance to exercise it.