How I Got Arrested For Holding an IMPEACH Sign

[Nomad559]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/25922

I am writing to tell you about an abuse of power in Asheville, NC by a police sergeant.

I occasionally stand on an interstate overpass near my place of work in the mornings and hold a sign that says 'IMPEACH BUSH / CHENEY'.

On Wednesday August 15, I was standing alone with my sign for about 10 minutes, when I was approached by Police Officer Russell Crisp. He asked me how long I was planning to stay there and I told him just a few more minutes because I had to go to work at 8:00. He asked for my ID and I obliged. I asked him if I was doing something wrong, and he said that his Sergeant was on the way and he was going to wait for him. SO, I went back to my sign holding over the interstate.

A few minutes later Sergeant Randy Riddle showed up with a paper in his hand. He spoke briefly to Crisp, then walked over to me and told me to put down my sign, put my hands behind my back, and that I was under arrest! I was shocked and almost thought he was joking until he told me again to put down the sign and put my hands behind me and I was under arrest. So I peacefully agreed and he cuffed me. I asked him why I was being arrested, he told me I was in violation County Ordinance 16-2, (the print out in his hand that he didn't bother to read to me or show me.) He told me I was obstructing the sidewalk. I told him I was not and that officer Crisp had witnessed a guy walk by me moments before.

[Buzz Clik]

1. Obstructing the sidewalk? Welcome to the 1960s.

[sakabatou]

2. Once again, freedom is slavery!

[snappyturtle]

3. Off to the greatest! Everyone should read about this obstruction

of the First Amendment.

[Webster Green]

4. WTF?!

K&R!

You handled it well. I would still be having taser darts removed.

[Lucky Luciano]

9. I agree with you...

The OP handles that amazingly well. Such a blatant breach of the first amendment rights like that would have given me sent me into a violent mode. Those police officers should lose their jobs, be personally sued, and the department should be sued. I'd really like to kick them in the head too....






...with steel tipped boots.








(Not a real threat)

[smiley_glad_hands]

5. With the economy going the way it is, I'd sue.eom

[rjones2818]

6. How soon will it be 'til they arrest people

holding impeach signs on their own property?

:nuke:

[Robson]

7. You need a buddy with a video camera, and then put it on YouTube

Picture is worth a thousand words.

[Sonicmedusa]

8. But this is really the shit sandwich-

"While at the jail I was asked several times about what groups or organizations I was with, like a local group Veterans for Peace. And more specifically the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action group that had protested at the Bank of America on Monday."

The law enforcement in Asheville are treating political dissenters like criminals. They are asking questions of us about who we are "known to associate with" in much the same way that gang members are. This is really getting scary. Come on, like the "Veterans For Peace"?!? This is nothing more then the police trying to gain information for Federal purposes. It is transparent and it is BULLSHIT!

This is the town who's sheriffs deputy broke out a window and broke into a home to illegally assault a couple who was peacefully displaying the US flag upside down- in protest of Bush's policies - and this deputy has gotten off scott-free!

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770814163

[William769]

10. Even though the sergeant may have been correct for what he did because of County Ordinance 16-2.

It's a lawsuit just screaming to be started. I would seek legal counsel.

[Mnpaul]

11. Call the ACLU

See if you can sue and get $80,000
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070817/ap_on_re_us/bush_protesters_lawsuit_2

[Martin Eden]

12. What's the overall political climate like in Asheville?

I've often thought that if I had to live in the South, Ashville would be the place because it's so near the highest mountains in the Eastern United States. I live in Chicago and have taken several week-long vactions in those mountains, but being at least a 10-hour drive it's too far for a weekend hiking trip. A few years ago I spent three days backpacking in the Shining Rock Wilderness, and I'm itching to go back.

Overall, is Asheville a pretty decent place to live -- notwithstanding the Gestapo you encountered?

[Vidar]

13. K&R.

[Stuckinthebush]

14. In Asheville????

What the hell?

That's the liberal pocket of the South.