Just because you’re allowed to do something doesn’t mean you should do it. That’s a maxim that the organizers of the God, Guns and Liberty rally ought to take to heart while there’s still time to call off their Saturday gathering in downtown Eugene.

The event, previously called the God, Guns and Trump rally, absolutely has the right to occur. Organizers have been planning it for months and will gather downtown this afternoon. They’ve notified police. Dozens of people have signed up on their Facebook page. There’s been nothing underhanded about it.

Organizers also have asked attendees to leave any racism or other bigotry at home. They don’t want to see Confederate battle flags waving or inappropriate signs.

Attendees will, however, openly carry firearms including semi-automatic rifles. That is their right.

Yet there are rights and there is what is right. Following through on this event now is at best tone deaf and at worst an invitation to violent clashes with protesters.

America is still in shock over mass shootings in Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton. Fear and apprehension are palpable even in Eugene and Springfield. Showing off the same sorts of guns used in those killings in downtown Eugene will intimidate communities already on edge.

The rally will take place at the same time as Eugene’s Pride festival. God, Guns and Liberty organizers insist the timing is coincidental. We will take them at their word, but it’s one more reason to postpone.

Organizers could not have known the shooting would occur, and they claim ignorance of the Pride event. Fine. Now prove that you are thoughtful human beings with a shred of empathy who can adapt to circumstances. Organizers will gain far more credibility with a simple announcement that "with the country wounded yet again, now is not the time for our event" than they will shouting about "patriotism" for two hours.

Failing to postpone sends a clear message that their event is less about the First and Second Amendments than about antagonizing the community by inciting fear and discord. If the intent truly is to celebrate God, Guns and Trump/Liberty, those things will still be around in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, counter-demonstrators plan to attend. The Eugene-Springfield chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice announced it will protest the event. Probably Antifa, which brings its own affinity for violent encounters, will be on hand, too. It won’t take much of a spark to set off that powder keg.

If God, Guns and Liberty won’t defuse the situation by putting off their event, we hope the counter-demonstrators will take the high road. Take your solidarity to the Pride event and deny God, Guns and Liberty the attention it craves.

There’s enough divisiveness and chaos in the country at this moment. Both sides have a right to be out there on this afternoon, and both sides have an opportunity to prove that sometimes it’s just not the right time.

Give Eugene and the nation a few weeks to heal.