I think that we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Peaceful right of assembly to protest a grievance shouldn’t be illegal regardless of religion.
I’m all for riot batons, rubber bullets, and tear gas at the first sign of trouble, better safe than sorry. Better still, permits with a known number of protesters so that the police can plan ahead, and have legal justifications for arresting offenders who show up unannounced.
But I don’t think that any nation should pick and choose who has the right to be heard. I’m not a fan of slippery slope arguments, but...
But it would be an even more slippery slope to allow one group, or one religion, to make demands of others that no other group is making. Islam wants laws that prohibit any criticism of their religion.
So, do we make laws restricting the free speech rights of the vast majority so the feelings of a minority won't be hurt? Or do we make laws restricting the rights of the large majority because a volatile minority will riot if they don't get what they want?
I don’t think they are talking about nor expecting such. Ten years ago they were burning cars and throwing deadly stuff. It can’t have grown more peaceful since then. The Frenchies don’t scamper around with pretense and political correctness and false hope wanting to be liked.