You’re running for president. It’s the race of your life. But there’s a problem: you don’t have Secret Service protection like the other candidates. Even though it’s required by law starting 120 days before the election. All because your last name is Kennedy.
It’s outrageous. You deserve equal protection. Just like your dad Bobby Kennedy had before those tragic events in 1968. But the powers that be refuse to provide it.
So you called up your pal @sagesteele to talk about it. How it’s impacted your campaign and your safety. And why all Americans should demand the Secret Service treat you the same as everyone else running for president. Will you add your name to the petition today?
The Legal Requirement for Secret Service Protection
The Secret Service was created in 1865 to combat counterfeiting, but its role expanded in 1901 to include protection of the President after the assassination of President McKinley. Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law to protect the President, Vice President, and their immediate families. ###Major presidential and vice presidential candidates can also receive Secret Service protection as identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Protection for the President and Vice President of the United States is mandatory under U.S. Code Title 18, Section 3056. However, for candidates, the law states the Secret Service may provide protection if requested by a major political party candidate. I have requested Secret Service protection as I campaign for President, given the threats against my life, but have been denied without cause.
A Double Standard
Every other candidate for President in 2020 has been granted Secret Service protection, as is customary and expected. However, I alone have been denied equal protection under the law for reasons that remain unclear. This double standard puts my safety, my campaign, and my message at risk. No candidate should face threats of violence and intimidation as they share their vision for America’s future.
What’s at Stake
Without Secret Service protection, my campaign faces constant disruption from threats that require local law enforcement response. This diversion of resources hampers our ability to connect with voters and share our message. More importantly, the risk to my own safety limits our ability to campaign freely, as we are forced to avoid certain events and interactions due to threat levels.
Equal protection under the law is a fundamental right. As a candidate for President, I deserve the same level of protection as any other candidate, and the American people deserve candidates who can freely share their message without fear of violence. I call on President Biden to provide Secret Service protection immediately so we can continue our campaign without disruption and ensure voters have the opportunity to hear from all candidates on the issues that matter most.
My Father Robert F. Kennedy and the Need for Protection
As the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while running for president in 1968, I know all too well the dangers facing candidates on the campaign trail. My father fought for equal justice and equal protection under the law for all Americans. Yet 52 years after his death, I’ve been denied the same Secret Service protection afforded to every other major candidate.###A Dangerous Double Standard
It’s a double standard that puts my safety, and my ability to run an effective campaign, at risk. President Carter granted early Secret Service protection to Senator Ted Kennedy, my father’s political rival, during his 1980 campaign. But despite multiple requests, I’ve been denied the same courtesy. This lack of protection has already hampered my campaign, forcing me to spend time and resources on security that could have been spent meeting with voters.
An Issue of Fairness and Safety
Equal protection under the law means just that—equal. As a candidate who has qualified for the ballot in enough states to win an Electoral College majority, I deserve the same level of protection as my opponents. Anything less is unfair and unjust. My safety, like any candidate’s, should not be left to chance or the whims of any administration.
The memory of my father’s tragic death looms over my campaign. No candidate or their family should have to fear violence in the course of an election. In the name of equal justice and fair play, I urge President Biden to provide Secret Service protection immediately so I can focus fully on sharing my message with the American people. It’s what my father would have wanted and what the democratic process demands.
Unequal Treatment – My Campaign Denied Protection
When I first announced my candidacy for president, I expected the Secret Service to provide my campaign the same level of protection as the other candidates. After all, it’s been legally mandated since 1968 to protect all major presidential candidates starting 120 days before the election. Yet for reasons still unclear, my campaign continues to be denied Secret Service protection, putting me and my team at risk.
Unfair Standards
The Secret Service claims their protection standards are “content neutral,” but that’s obviously untrue in my case. My campaign events have been disrupted and I’ve received threats, yet they deem I don’t warrant protection. Meanwhile, they’ve provided full details and resources to protect other candidates from the beginning. Their unequal treatment and double standards threaten my ability to run a viable campaign.
A Dangerous Position
Without Secret Service protection, my safety and security are at risk in a way other candidates don’t face. My campaign events could be targeted, and my team has no way to properly screen attendees or secure venues. I’ve had to limit appearances and interactions to avoid potential danger, while other candidates are free to greet supporters and hold rallies. The threats against me are real, not imagined, yet I’m left exposed in a way that undermines the democratic process.
An Unfair Burden
The additional costs and resources my campaign has to spend on private security are an unfair burden. Other candidates are free to focus their funding on key campaign activities, while I have to divert critical funds to ensure basic safety measures. The Secret Service’s mandate is to provide equal protection for all candidates so they can run campaigns without undue hardship. Their failure to provide my campaign the same resources they give others undermines the spirit and intent of the law.
Secret Service protection should not be a privilege afforded only to candidates they prefer. Their role is to offer equal protection under the law to all major candidates so a fair democratic process can unfold. Their unequal treatment of my campaign threatens my ability to fully participate and undermines principles of fairness and justice. I urge them to correct this injustice immediately and provide my campaign the protection we deserve and the law demands.
The Real-World Impact and Safety Risks
Not having Secret Service protection puts any candidate at serious risk. As a presidential candidate, your safety should be a top priority, but without Secret Service agents guarding you 24/7, you’re left vulnerable.
Constant Threats
Unfortunately, there are people who wish to cause harm to public figures like presidential candidates. The Secret Service works hard to identify potential threats before they become real dangers. Without their intelligence and risk assessment, you have no way of knowing if there are credible threats against you. Any public appearance could put you in the crosshairs of a violent person.
Physical Safety
Secret Service agents are highly trained to spot threats in a crowd and respond instantly to neutralize potential risks. They are experts in defensive techniques and armed to handle dangerous situations. Relying on local police or private security simply isn’t the same. They lack the specialized training, experience, and mandate of the Secret Service. Your safety at events depends on the Secret Service’s ability to prevent risks and respond to threats.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have the full protection of the Secret Service allows you to focus on your campaign. Their presence means you can devote your energy to connecting with voters instead of constantly worrying about your safety. The peace of mind they provide is invaluable during an exhausting presidential run. Without them, concerns for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your staff and supporters would constantly distract you from the important work of campaigning.
Denying a presidential candidate Secret Service protection 120 days out from an election is unacceptable and puts lives at risk. All candidates deserve equal protection and security during their campaigns. I urge President Biden to provide Secret Service agents right away to ensure safety, focus the campaign on the issues, and uphold the democratic process. The risks of waiting are just too great.
Take Action: Sign the Petition Demanding Equal Secret Service Protection
SIGN THE PETITION : security.kennedy24.com
https://security.kennedy24.com
You have the power to help right this injustice and ensure all candidates receive equal protection under the law. By signing the petition on my website, you are adding your voice to demand that President Biden provide Secret Service protection for my campaign, as legally required.
Your Signature Matters
In politics, there is strength in numbers. The more signatures we gather, the louder our collective voice becomes and the harder it will be to ignore. My campaign has already faced threats of violence that Secret Service protection could have prevented. Your signature could help ensure my safety and ability to continue campaigning freely without fear of harm.
A Long History of Providing Protection
Since the assassination of my father in 1968, the Secret Service has been required to protect major presidential candidates to uphold the integrity of our democratic process. As the nominee of the People’s Party, I am entitled to the same level of security as the Democratic and Republican candidates. Denying me protection is an affront to the principles of fair governance and equal treatment under the law.
Stand Up for What is Right
Signing this petition is a simple but powerful act that tells our leaders you will not stand by while equal protection is denied. Our voices have the power to shape policy and steer the course of this nation. Make your voice heard by adding your name to demand the Secret Service immediately provide protection for my campaign.
Together, we can ensure integrity and justice prevail in this election. Add your name today and share this petition to spread the message far and wide. Our democracy depends on fair representation and a level playing field for all candidates. With your support, we will make history by gaining ballot access nationwide – but first, we need the protection to which we are legally entitled.
Conclusion
So there you have it. This unequal and dangerous situation has gone on long enough. Help me fix this outrageous double standard by signing the petition now. The Secret Service should protect all major candidates equally during this dangerous campaign season. We can’t change the past, but we can demand better protection moving forward. Together, we can ensure the safety of every candidate who puts themselves out there to represent the American people. Our leaders need to know we won’t stand for anything less. Sign and share this petition to tell President Biden that equal protection under the law means equal Secret Service protection too. Let’s speak up with one voice until this injustice is made right.