“For it is disturbing the peace of the town.”
“It is you who are disturbing the peace of the town. We are peaceful citizens, met here to demonstrate our sympathy for a people struggling against tyranny. Do you say we have no right to do so, or that we must not walk the streets?”
“You are meeting in an illegal manner; I will now read the Riot Act, and if you do not disperse before fifteen minutes, you have only to take the consequence.”
He read the Riot Act; after which we asked—
“What do you see illegal in our procession?”
“That red flag,” pointing to an equilateral triangle banner.
The Committee—“Take that flag down. Now, Mr. O’Connell, do you see anything else illegal?”
O’Connell—“Those transparencies, with the mottoes.”
Committee—“Take away those transparencies. Do you see anything else illegal, Mr. O’Connell?”