Posted on 02/10/2011 8:08:46 PM PST by Nachum
Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich is throwing the book at dozens of people arrested during recent political demonstrations — a major shift in city policy that has him pressing for jail time in types of cases that previous prosecutors had treated as infractions. Some of the activists arrested, including eight college students and one military veteran who took part in a Westwood rally last year in support of the DREAM Act, face up to one year in county jail. Trutanich's aggressive stance is the latest episode in the city's decades-long legal struggle over the rights of protesters.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Interesting. I don’t remember reading about these types of protests in support of the Dream Act late last year.
Oh yea, the MSM didn’t want us to know about it...hurt the cause, don’t you know.
Intriguing... and I wonder how well the Open Carry movement will fare there, as their very open carry could be construed as political protest/speech.
Trutanich said in an interview that recent demonstrations, conducted without permits, had cost the city thousands of dollars for police response and disrupted traffic. Organizers of illegal protests should face consequences, he said.
That 'without permit' phrase stings a bit, how many of us protest, unannounced to the general public or officials, with Tea Party groups? I do.
"My whole deal is predictability," he said. "In order for us to have a civilized society, there has to be a predictable result when you break the law. I want to make sure that they don't do it again."
I've been at many unpredicted and un permitted stand outs and rallies.
The new policy, he added, was designed with an eye on what he called "professional" protesters who demonstrate repeatedly — sometimes for pay, he said — and never seem to be punished for their illegal activities.
I'm a repetitive protester and have protested without permits.
Apparently this group of protesters he wants to get jail time disrupted traffic for hours, but who decides what a disruption is for protesting? I'd rather leave it up to the police on a case by case basis and not have it set as an ordinance in stone.
“That ‘without permit’ phrase stings a bit, how many of us protest, unannounced to the general public or officials, with Tea Party groups? I do. “
How often do you block traffic? Do you agree that blocking traffic is part of the right to assembly?
Ever hear of Critical Mass?
-PJ
“Ever hear of Critical Mass? “
Yep and love their name. But I doubt you’re part of that bunch...not much in common with the Tea Party, at least as I remember them.
-PJ
I use to go to rallies in Westwood on held on July 4 and the Mexicans would be on the other side of Wilshire throwing frozen cans of pop at us. One hit a cop right on the head. They were viscous and nasty.
I try not to block traffic ever (I blocked-the-box once in an intersection and almost got a ticket - the cop let me go;>) but with a bunch of people protesting it could happen.
I understand where this Lawyer is coming from but I don't like where this could go for protesting or 'instant standouts' in general.
I get a real kick out of the Mexican council stating that our nation was formed by a protest against unfair policies.
It’s so refreshing to hear someone of his ilk act as if he understands and respects our nation, if only for a moment.
Could someone please drop kick this asshole back to Mexico.
Look, you haven’t protested in the street, causing a traffic nightmare for hours, and tens of thousands of dollars in city costs. This guy is sick of the loons who pop up every time they get their feelings hurt.
I’m all for it. My only additional hope is that he checks their identification and deports them when warranted.
When we protest, we call the police and communicate what our plans are, what our contact information is. We follow the guidelines they give us. We have a friendly relationship with them.
I wouldn’t dream of causing a problem for the city, when we are allowed to voice our opinions openly and according to good common sense guidelines.
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