Perhaps if Mary Ann Zimmerman paused to think beyond her own agenda ("Protesting should not be considered 'suspicious activity' " Tuesday, Nov. 25) before panicking about FBI memos being circulated to squash "potential disruptions," she would have taken into practical consideration why such precautions in our nation's capital might be needed.

Having lived and worked in Washington, D.C. for over a year now, I have seen American democracy in many forms: from the halls of Congress to the National Mall routinely filled with passionate demonstrations exercising the rights of assembly and free speech. D.C. residents are keenly aware to the potential of what can happen.

The nation's capital has faced terror attacks, anthrax contamination, and a terrifying sniper spree besieging an already particularly violent city.

While the Iraqi war protests were completely peaceful, that cannot be said for all demonstrations. As recently as last fall protesters opposing the World Bank meetings smashed in the fronts of offices downtown and became violent when asked to disperse.

It turns out it was in fact necessary for a heavy police presence as well as federal agency monitoring when such destruction is occurring or has the potential to occur. Meanwhile, millions of people are attempting to maneuver through these situations to ensure that even while free speech is being exercised, Grandma still gets her Social Security check.

Here's a thought: Who pays to keep D.C.'s residents, visitors, and political demonstrators safe? Because of its unique status as the Federal city, Congress regulates D.C.'s funds and they are not as accessible to its leaders as any other municipality would be.

While millions commute to work here, there is no commuter tax to assist in funds for police, fire, and rescue squads. Extra police are needed to ensure the safety of citizens and demonstrators alike cost upward of hundreds of thousands of dollars a day.

The burden then falls to a city with the highest per capita poverty rate in the nation. It's a little different than gathering at the University gates on College and Allen streets. No one is challenging the right to free speech or assembly by striving to keep order and safety paramount.

Demonstrators of any political persuasion should keep in mind that while D.C. is the people's city and should be a market place of the public's ideas, values, and goals, we live in a reality where precautions must be taken to ensure everyone's freedom.