A Raised Middle Finger Is Protected Free Speech, Appeals Court Rules

New York Times ^

[WASCWatch]

This has been a settled issue for many decades. Cops just need to ignore this stuff. Anything short of an assault or a threat of assault is protected speech.

[grania]

Good. It’s the universal bad driving symbol.

[TLI]

words which “by their very utterance, inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.

So, that would include racist, islamophobe, fascist, privilaged white male, etc?

.

[kaehurowing]

Obama did it all the time, he thought he was being sly the way he did it.

[GreyHoundSailor]

That’s the point where things like this happen:

Vermont man crushes seven police vehicles with family tractor

https://attackthesystem.com/2012/08/03/vermont-man-crushes-seven-police-vehicles-with-family-tractor/

[bgill]

I never understood using the longest finger. A better insult would be the pinky.

[JimRed]

If I’m close enough, you may end up with a sprained or broken middle finger. “Yes, officer, I did bend it, but I was in fear of him poking my eye with it!”

[fungoking]

So next time....after the bird pull her over to ask if she is ok, “I saw you signal me.” Half hour later, “Everything checks out, have a good day.”