protests

I went to the rally in Raleigh in support of the Wisconsin protesters. There were a bunch of counter protesters across the street with their signs swearing fealty to the rich and their corporations and opposing a good life for workers. I expected all that, but I also expected some notion of Constitutional rights - don't the Tea Baggers claim to support the 1st Amendment and all that?

But no - not only did they try to drown out our speakers with their speakers but - and I really found that offensive - they sometimes simply broadcast pure noise, no words, just noise - in an attempt to suppress our free speech.

Why am I not surprised?

Asheville City Police Officer Russell Crisp and Sergeant Randy Riddle believe in your freedom of speech - if they like what you say.

Asheville Police arrested a protestor for "impeach Bush, Cheney" sign - citing him with dubvious charge of "obstructing a sidewalk" this Wednesday. Since he wasn't actually blocking the sidewalk, they are looking for something else that could stick - and said Thursday "a N.C. Department of Transportation violation would be more fitting."

Charges against ‘highway blogger’ will changeby Adam Behsudi, August 17, 2007

ASHEVILLE — Police said Thursday that it would change charges against a man who held an “impeach Bush, Cheney” sign from a bridge over Interstate 240.

Jonas Phillips, a 35-year-old West Asheville resident, said he had recently taken up “highway blogging,” a protest practice of displaying signs of political discontent from highway overpasses.

Police cited him Wednesday for obstructing the sidewalk but said Thursday a N.C. Department of Transportation violation would be more fitting.

In other words, as soon as they can trump up something that might stick.

A message from Phillips was forwarded to the Veterans for Peace list serve:       (read more below the fold, fp by gf)