I wrote the following statement about Russia while working at the National Security Council in 2010. But throughout this thread I changed "Russia" to the "United States." Depressing that the statement seems so applicable today to our great country. THREAD. 1/
The United States is concerned by the detention on June 1-2, 2010 of American citizens who were participating in rallies throughout the U.S. to demonstrate their support for Amendment 1 of the American Constitution, which guarantees to American citizens the right of assembly. 2/
The United States reiterates the importance of embracing and protecting universal values, including freedoms of expression and assembly, enshrined in the American Constitution as well as in international agreements which the U.S. has signed. 3/
Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are also characteristics of a modern political system that supports economic modernization. The infringement of American citizens' rights to exercise these freedoms runs counter to our shared commitments to international norms ... 4/
The United States remains committed to supporting those in the United States and around the world who are working to protect and advance the human rights and democratic values of their fellow citizens.The White House. August 2, 2010. 5/
Here is the original statement: eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/14025… 6/
Of course, I believe that our democracy is a better system of government than Putin's autocracy. Above all else, our constitution gives our citizens the possibility to generate renewal. 7/
At the same time, we must be candid in acknowledging that we are not inspiring democrats around the world right now. We are giving tyrants fresh evidence for their whataboutism arguments. We must do better, for those in America and the world who cherish democracy. 8/ END THREAD.
