Posted on 08/10/2006 7:34:26 AM PDT by SmithL
DAYTON, Tenn. — June Griffin, an advocate of Ten Commandments displays, the Bill of Rights and a frequent political candidate, was indicted on civil rights, Records show Griffin, most recently an unsuccessful GOP congressional candidate, was charged Monday with civil rights intimidation, harassment, theft of property valued at less than $500 and vandalism.
An arraignment was set for Friday.
Griffin said in a telephone interview that she took the flag because public officials refused to act on her requests to restrict displays of flags to "only American flags in this county because of all the confusion that has come in with this invasion from Mexico."
"I’m not guilty of any of those charges," Griffin said. "It was an act of war as far as I’m concerned."
Griffin said she took the flag to a rally she attended and later gave it to police who came to her house. She said she intends to go to trial.
Griffin said she heads the Tennessee Bill of Rights Committee and has sought public office about six times.
Gilbert Mejia, operator of Carniceria Los Primos grocery in downtown Dayton, said Griffin took the flag about three weeks ago and he didn’t know who she was until she later called him and left a message identifying herself. He said she had never previously entered the downtown store.
Mejia said in a telephone interview that Griffin’s telephone message said he should "Get out. If you don’t speak English you need to get out."
Mejia said the flag was taken while a clerk who doesn’t speak English was working.
"She took my Mexican flag out and tried to close the door real hard. She tried to break the door," Mejia said. "I put my flag on there so the Mexican people can see I have a Mexican store. It’s only for my customers. I have a Mexican store."
Thou shalt not invade.
Actually, I was with her until I realized it was a store and not a public (or state) office which is what I thought at first. It's no different than shoplifting; it is shoplifting!
Of course, if she had taken an American flag with the intent of burning it, this would be an entirely different story.
No, theft is theft.
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DAYTON, Tenn. — June Griffin, an advocate of Ten Commandments displays, the Bill of Rights and a frequent political candidate, was indicted on civil rights, vandalism and theft charges after a Hispanic grocery store owner said she stole a Mexican flag in the business.
Griffin, 67, carried a "Remember the Alamo" banner to the Rhea County Jail as she surrendered Tuesday and was released on bond.
Records show Griffin, most recently an unsuccessful GOP congressional candidate, was charged Monday with civil rights intimidation, harassment, theft of property valued at less than $500 and vandalism.
Records show Griffin, most recently an unsuccessful GOP congressional candidate, was charged Monday with civil rights intimidation, harassment, theft of property valued at less than $500 and vandalism.
An arraignment was set for Friday.
Griffin said in a telephone interview that she took the flag because public officials refused to act on her requests to restrict displays of flags to "only American flags in this county because of all the confusion that has come in with this invasion from Mexico."
"I’m not guilty of any of those charges," Griffin said. "It was an act of war as far as I’m concerned."
Griffin said she took the flag to a rally she attended and later gave it to police who came to her house. She said she intends to go to trial.
Griffin said she heads the Tennessee Bill of Rights Committee and has sought public office about six times.
Gilbert Mejia, operator of Carniceria Los Primos grocery in downtown Dayton, said Griffin took the flag about three weeks ago and he didn’t know who she was until she later called him and left a message identifying herself. He said she had never previously entered the downtown store.
Mejia said in a telephone interview that Griffin’s telephone message said he should "Get out. If you don’t speak English you need to get out."
Mejia said the flag was taken while a clerk who doesn’t speak English was working.
"She took my Mexican flag out and tried to close the door real hard. She tried to break the door," Mejia said. "I put my flag on there so the Mexican people can see I have a Mexican store. It’s only for my customers. I have a Mexican store."
No argument there.
My point is that the tenor of the story would likely be different under the scenario I proposed.
I don't it would be a story at all except for the nitwit perp who thinks she's in some kind of a war.
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