Why was the Iraq War Veteran arrested in DC this week? Have you seen the video?

Question

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EAfPgX7gs0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcrooksandliars%2Ecom%2F

This video above opens with the Iraq War veteran speaking and ends with a cop on a horse charging into the little group, separating the media from those arrested.

In the video, you will hear the cops proclaim that a table set up for microphones - in a public park that is a traditional place for free speech events in DC - is a THREAT TO HOMELAND SECURITY!!!!!!

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/07/dc-anti-war-protester-kokesh-and-others-arrested/#comments

fuller story at above link

Is this the freedom the soldier was fighting to bring to Iraq? Is this what freedom looks like?

Ken, if it's not a vet, it's okay?

BTW,yes, he's a real vet. Google him.

http://kokesh.blogspot.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/06/AR2007090602483.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1842385/posts

even free republic admits he's a vet.
What does that change?

I live in DC. Do you? There are posters everywhere, pasted to everything, mostly announcing concerts.

Have you heard of free speech? Do you think it's for announcing concerts?

I support free speech for all - even pro-war dupes.

And do you seriously think pro-war folks would have been treated like this? PUH LEAZE.

You don't need a permit to gather in Lafayette Park.

People are free to gather in Lafayette Park. You don't need a permit to hold a press conference in Washington. Lots of Congressmen would be in trouble if you did.

Plus, people, has it occured to you that requiring permits etc before you can protest is a violation of "Congress SHALL MAKE NO LAW" regarding speech?

Answer 1

1 - the reason is in the video title...can you read that, or do you just look at the pictures?

2 - They broke the law...it had nothing to do with free speech, it had to do with the poster violation. They were warned, and they continued in spite of the warning.

3 - Their purpose was to engage in civil disobedience...to break the law to try and make a point.

Answer 2

gee the article clearly states they were defacing private property, obstructing a police officer and gathering in a public square without a permit... guess you don't realize those are CRIMES!

paint all the ignorant pictures you want but if you break the law you are punished.

you are expecting absolute freedom, that is called chaos, it does not exist in the US. there are standards and laws ever one has to live by.

Would you be happy if some one walked on to your property and put up what ever they felt like? Wouldn't you want them arrested or punished for violating you and your space?

I bet if the group was Pro-war you would not be upset, would you?

Try Logic and Reason you will be better for it.

Add on: Those posters are posted illegally as well! Jeez is this really a hard concept to grasp?

Just because other idiots have gotten away with it does not make it right or legal.

I have been to Washington countless times, I personally live near San Francisco and I can assure you there is a ton of illegally posted material all over the place.

Freedom of speech means the right to speak your mind not interrupt commerce, disobey laws or violate private property.

Your freedom of speech excuse is pathetic. By your own standards I could walk on to your lawn, plant a pro-war sign and it would be ok because it is "freedom of speech".

Grow up and understand how the world works. Even the men who wrote the constitution knew that freedom needed guidelines and laws.

Answer 3

My brother substitute into there for a million.3 years. He says we could stay and that what we are doing is working. He substitute into offended while got here abode for pass away and observed no longer something yet damaging stuff from the media. He stated what they tutor and what's certainly occurring there day after day a diverse. assaults are down from approximately 3 hundred a week to perhaps 10 a week. I agree we gained't pull out till ultimately the activity is finished.

Answer 4

Failure to have a permit. It just goes downhill for any group without one. Permits are required to make sure there is:
Security
Traffic Control if required.
Cleanup after the event.
Porta Potties may be required depending on the expected number of people and length of event.
EMS on standby in case of a medical emergency.
The list goes on.


Posting signs on public property after being told to stop. Just because other people put up posters does not mean it's legal. Look up your municipal code. You could not find a jurisdiction in this country that allows that.

Failure to obey a sworn officer.

Resisting arrest.

They will probably add disorderly conduct.

And

The video is the best evidence the DA could have.

Answer 5

I couldn't understand everything being said in the video, but I would guess he was arrested for defacing public property or something along those lines. Freedom of speech doesn't include gluing your posters to public property without permission. Not only that but do you think he or anyone else was going to remove the posters later and wash the glue off? I seriously doubt it.

Answer 6

Incredible. I heard some of those IVAW guys speak at another protest,and it was chilling.....Good for him for speaking out. He is a true hero.....



"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naive and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair."
~H. L. Mencken

Answer 7

Can you prove it was an actual vet you know liberal groups had alot of "Viet Nam vets" who were never actually in the armed services. are they bringing out the trusty ole play book?

Answer 8

Makes me afraid to go to the protest on 9/15. I guess that's the intent.

It doesn't look like freedom to me - to me it looks like fascism. "GET BACK GET BACK GET BACK"