Final answer:
Local law enforcement agencies, including the police and the National Guard, are responsible for handling demonstrations on public sidewalks or streets, maintaining public order, and ensuring the safety and rights of all participants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Management of demonstrator action on public sidewalks or streets typically falls to local law enforcement agencies, which may include the police and, in larger responses, the National Guard. These government bodies are responsible for maintaining public safety and order during protests and demonstrations, ensuring the rights of protestors are protected while also managing traffic and pedestrian access. The handling of demonstrations must be conducted in a manner that is viewpoint-neutral, meaning law enforcement cannot favor one group over another based on their message or beliefs.
In practice, as seen in the 1968 events during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the response can sometimes lead to confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators. Nevertheless, it is within the purview of law enforcement to handle demonstrations to ensure safety while respecting the constitutional rights of those protesting.
Rallies and protests may require a permit, especially if they affect public thoroughfares like streets or highways. Any regulation of protests or establishment of free-speech zones during significant events must be consistent and cannot be based on the content or viewpoint of the protest to comply with the Second Amendment.