In another example of our age of rage, Hoyt Hutchinson, 32, took a knife to the famous “Baby Trump” protest balloon that has followed President Donald Trump from England to the United States. Hutchinson reportedly stated on a video that “I’m going down here to make a scene, so y’all watch the news. This is pathetic. I’m fixing to get rowdy.” In a sign of our times, people have donated money to support him in this property destruction. Many now believe that they have a privilege to stop others from speaking. Conservatives have rightfully objected to such disruptive acts on campus, but this is a conservative who is being heralded for his own anti-free speech act. A similar act of destruction was committed by a woman in London who was upset with the protest balloon’s appearance.
According to the Tuscaloosa News Hutchinson made his intentions clear on a Facebook Live video as to the planned protests over Trump’s attendance of the Alabama – LSA game. As discussed by Heavy.com, Hutchinson is an ardent Trump supporter.
In a statement that could embody too many pro-Trump and anti-Trump voters, Hutchinson declared “I’m shaking, I’m so mad right now. I’m fixing to pop this balloon, without a doubt. Stay tuned, this should be interesting.”
She people support his criminal act and donors have contributed roughly $1000 toward his $2,500 bond after he was charged with felony first-degree criminal mischief.
Once again, I fail to understand how people can support such violence against the free speech of others. Moreover, I would hope that the court would treat the attack on free speech as an “aggravating” element for sentencing. Hutchinson was not just destroying property but trying to silence critics of the President.