I know it is fashionable for many in the media and for Mr. Trump’s political opponents to lay the blame at his feet. This Democrat does not see it that way. Did his rhetoric stir up the protesters? Yes. Should he tone down his rhetoric? Yes, of course. But that’s not the constitutional principle at stake here. The seminal issue is that the man has a right to speak in peace without disruption at his own rally in a facility that his campaign has rented.

He may be a bully, rude, crass and rub some the wrong way, but none of those are reasons to deny him and his supporters the right to assemble without fear of violence by agitators. The man has a right to speak, and his supporters have a right to hear him without the speech being disrupted and being taunted.

One either believes in free speech or he doesn’t. If you do, it must be allowed to those with whom you disagree as well as those who adopt your viewpoint. Otherwise, it doesn’t mean anything and you’re really not for it. We must never forget any candidate has a right to speak, and his or her supporters must be able to hear without disruption if we are to have a democracy. Mr. Trump and his supporters should be allowed to meet in peace without interference from outside agitators.