The National Lawyers Guild concluded that in trying to prevent any disturbance during the Republican National Convention last August, the authorities obstructed the First Amendment rights of protesters. “The sheer number of police, weaponry, and the constant threat of police aggression and arrest had a chilling effect on free speech and assembly.” That led “to smaller and less robust demonstrations at this year’s conventions than those in recent years,” the Guild reported. (Tampa Bay Times, by Richard Danielson, February 1, 2013) -db