Nashville Reporter Tapes His Own Arrest, Records Apparent Police Misconduct As Peaceful Protesters

[cal04]

Nashville Reporter Tapes His Own Arrest, Records Apparent Police Misconduct As Peaceful Protesters Detained

State troopers, on orders from Gov. Bill Haslam (R-TN), have repeatedly conducted nighttime raids on the Occupy Nashville encampment outside of the state capitol. During the raid at 2:30 a.m. Friday night, Nashville Scene reporter Jonathan Meador was detained along with 25 peaceful protesters. Meador, who had his camera on to interview attendees at the occupation, inadvertently recorded the state troopers as they appeared to conspire to slap fictitious charges against him.

The Nashville Scene’s Jim Ridley reports:

Thanks to him, Meador was able to produce this unedited video of his own arrest — or to be more accurate, the audio, since with troopers slamming Meador to the ground from behind and rendering him helpless, the image isn’t so hot.

No matter. The sound speaks volumes. What you will hear, very clearly, is a trooper telling another officer to book Meador for resisting arrest. You will also hear, very clearly, audio evidence of Meador’s contention: that he was simply doing his job as a reporter and tried to get off the plaza to comply with the law — but the troopers wouldn’t let him off that easy.

What you will not hear, in any form or fashion, is the slightest mention of public intoxication — the specious charge against Meador the THP has broadcast to the world. If that charge was made up later to discredit Meador — or even more appallingly, to divert attention from what a Metro Night Court judge last night told officers was a blatantly unconstitutional overstepping of government and police authority — nobody who cares about their First Amendment freedoms should sleep in Tennessee tonight.

Watch the video:
http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/10/31/357037/protest-police-nashville/

[mike_c]

1. once again, I'm sure the only thing the thugs regret is getting caught....

Pigs.

[Marazinia]

2. If the city doesn't fire these officers

Then the worst of the pigs are still the ones at the top.

Anyone started a list yet of electable officials who are mistreating protesters in communities? If enough people are disgusted by the mistreatment of Americans over the exercising of Constitutional rights, at very least maybe we can fry up some election year bacon.

[EFerrari]

5. I believe those are TN Highway Patrol, not Nashville PD.

[Marazinia]

8. That looks a bit tougher then

http://www.tn.gov/safety/ISB/complimentprocedure.shtml

Straight to the Tennessee Department of Safety, and for added fascist fun, they're teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security. So does that mean they basically are Homeland Security?

[EFerrari]

9. They were served with a restraining order today

after ACLU filed suit on behalf of Occupy Nashville. So, ON is cool until the 21st of November or so.

[Marazinia]

13. Do you really think pieces of paper will stop them

It never has before, these people are above the law. Maybe not individual police or petty officials, but the real powerful, they laugh at our laws and at lawyers who try to enforce them. Waving paper isn't going to do much. Not in our current society.

[EFerrari]

14. This paper will stop the harassment for a while.

Stop them altogether, of course not.

[Marazinia]

15. Better than nothing

But when paper stops working, then what?

[socialist_n_TN]

12. You are correct EF,..........

and it's an important distinction. The Troopers work for the state (obviously). I don't know what the NPD would have done if they had been ordered by the city to do this, but they weren't, so they don't need to take the blame.

[drm604]

3. K&R

This deserves wide attention.

[nilram]

4. k,r

[Uncle Joe]

6. The curfew is a violation of the First Amendment and the State of Tennessee's Constitution.

Now how much more specific can you get than "at all times"

But don't tell that to the State Rights loving Republican Legislature which can't be bothered to read the state of Tennessee's Constitution much less the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

http://www.tncrimlaw.com/law/constit/I.html#1

§ 1. Powers of people

That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness; for the advancement of those ends they have at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.

(snip)

§ 23. Right of assembly; redress of grievances

That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances, or other proper purposes, by address or remonstrance.

Thanks for the thread, cal.

[EFerrari]

10. Maybe they'll bother to read the restraining order they were handed this morning.

:party:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x5043857

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. kick

[Tsiyu]

11. "We jest don't believe in all that Freedom of the Press bidniss

hyear in Tinissy" sez are Gubbner Billy Boy "I Got Mine Screw You" Haslam.

"That thar Con-stee-too-shun iz only for watt rich folks, hyuck, hyuck." :crazy:




Haslam embarrasses the entire state, once again. Haslam spits on the citizens of our state, once again. Haslam gets schooled by people with actual INTEGRITY - once again.


People should know that Haslam's family owns a fuel company that PRICE-GOUGED during times of weather crisis. One of his first acts as governor was to make it legal for him to shield his assets.

He's a typical Republican, greedy, evil, oligarchic PIG. So no surprise he wouldn't be like decent mayors and governers elsewhere who respect the citizens' rights. Nobody has rights in Tennessee but the rich white folk today....though our judges are trying.