Equality Florida activist in Largo arrested for handing out anti-discrimination flyers

[Ian David]

Michael @ Pushing Rope reports that Nadine Smith of Equality Florida was was taken into custody, allegedly for “resisting arrest” after handing out flyers (saying “Don’t Discriminate”) at the Largo City Commission meeting where City Manager Steve Stanton was fired.

This was additional drama on top of the already insane situation where the highly regarded Stanton, after announcing that he was beginning the process of transitioning to become a woman, was hung out to dry by his colleagues at the behest of fundie pastor Charlie Martin of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks and fundies who waged a week-long campaign to destroy Stanton’s career.

Blogger Wayne Garcia was there when Smith was arrested:



Isn’t anyone in Largo ashamed of their police department’s over-reaction in the case of Nadine Smith? The executive director of Equality Florida was arrested for handing out flyers at Tuesday’s commission meeting. Four cops, a felony charge, more than $5,000 bail for handing out flyers? Looks like Largo is putting itself on the map not just for prejudice but for stamping out free speech. Thanks for shining a bright light on the worst of Pinellas, folks.


You want to hear a really lame-ass reason for the arrest, given to the St. Petersburg Times?

Police contend Nadine Smith, executive director of the gay and lesbian advocacy group Equality Florida, became disruptive when they told her stop distributing the fliers in violation of a city ordinance.

…Fliers present a fire hazard; plus, when they end up on the floor, people can slip on them, McMullen said.

Given the already emotionally charged meeting, city officials also thought that fliers could become further disruptive, McMullen said.


Litbrit hits the nail on the head (at her pad and Shakes):

Fliers could become further disruptive. The condescension drips. Yeah, I suppose if someone folded his into a sharp little pink mini-Concorde and put someone’s eye out. Or created a hailstorm of spitballs one would be hard pressed to say were undeserved by at least some present. Do you know what I consider disruptive? Disruptive to the rule of law, I mean? When arrogant, egocentric, homobigoted tax evaders religious “leaders” bully government by claiming an exclusive hold on morality and a voice that represents the so-called majority, and then twist public policy and legislation to fit their narrow, nasty little worldviews.

More:
http://pandagon.net/2007/03/02/equality-florida-activist-in-largo-arrested-for-handing-out-anti-discrimination-flyers/


See prior thread:

Largo, FL, City Of "Progress", Votes To Dismiss Transgender City Manager
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x49186

[atreides1]

1. See

And we always thought that the followers of Hitler all went to South America.;)

[kdpeters]

2. This is why Rodney King and the UCLA tasering are GLBT issues

We are in their targets much as racial minorities are. Two of my friends were treated worse than this, but it has all the same hallmarks. They had the total shit beat out of them in a gas station parking lot. They both had bruise rings around their wrists for a week from the handcuffs being to tight. They were taunted and teased and called faggots and you know the 'I don't want AIDS' bullshit. They were charged with serious, life altering felonies. It was all bullshit. And they feared going to jail for 20+ years for the next month. It was awful. "Assault on an officer", "Assault with a deadly weapon" "indecent exposure" "resisting arrest". That is serious shit and not one of those motherfuckers showed up to court. Charges dismissed. Just like that it was over. It was such a relief we all just sad there and cried. but that's all it was to them. Just some rowdy fun with a couple of queers. Rough em up, scare the hell out of em and let them stew for a month until the court date. Fucking games. Do you know what that does to people?

What did they do? They took a shortcut in our neighborhood that was also a well known cruisy area under police sting that night. They thought it was a bashing about to happen when they were ambushed from the bushes and they fled. When they saw cop lights behind them, they pulled in to lighted gas station and the rest is history. They got away with it. My friends were so traumatized, they had no stomach to sue -- though they were encouraged. They only wanted to end it. They changed.

Law enforcement abuse is our issue.

[NMMNG]

3. Gee, do they arrest Christian groups handing out flyers?

I'd love to test that theory. :eyes: