Fired For Protesting

Amendment I:Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

So why is it then that people all over America are being fired for attending immigration rallies? I understand that people have businesses to operate, but something should be and can be worked out, other than firing them.

(NY Times)In many cities, rally organizers said, plenty of businesses, many of whom have pushed for efforts to give legal status to immigrants, cooperated with the demonstrations and allowed workers time off. In Indianapolis, one company went so far as to let 2,000 people leave their jobs for Monday's demonstration downtown, said Ken Moran, an organizer.

Unfortunately, these business owners decided firing them was the best solution.

In Bonita Springs, Fla., 10 restaurant workers were fired this week after skipping their shifts to attend a rally against legislation in Congress cracking down on illegal immigrants. In Tyler, Tex., 22 welders lost their jobs making parts for air conditioners after missing work for a similar demonstration in that city.

But it is not just border states and Republican strongholds.

And so it went for employees of an asbestos removal firm in Indianapolis, a restaurant in Milwaukee, a meatpacking company in Detroit, a factory in Bellwood, Ill.

In at least one instance, nearly 200 fired workers in Wisconsin were reinstated, demonstration leaders said, after the leaders met with employers, discussed the significance of the protests and threatened to identify the companies publicly.

So how is it that some businesses are able to make due, and others had to fire their staff? The people being fired aren't illegal immigrants, so they are entitled to their constitutional rights, Like the First Amendment.