Good thing they were in a 'free' country

In response to a recent court ruling that upheld the prohibition of "silent expressive dancing" at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. a number of people decided to hold a silent dance protest at the memorial.

The following videos show some of what happened to the dancers while they were at the memorial dancing.



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Even if we accept that what these individuals were doing was disruptive and that the police service involved can prohibit them from doing it, was the force used really necessary?

Furthermore, if the reason for prohibiting dancing and other such activities is related to disturbing tranquility isn't it at least a little ironic that the resulting arrests surely did more to disturb the tranquility than silent dancers? Would Justin Bieber, or any other celebrity, be arrested for visiting the site and disturbing the tranquility of the monument when they are mobbed by adoring fans?

I understand why one might want to prohibit disruptive behaviours at this type of site (though I think such a goal is fundamentally questionable), but things have clearly gone to far when silent swaying can be deemed so disruptive that it merits arrest.