Posted on 01/28/2007 4:09:17 PM PST by RDTF
Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of thewest front steps of the United States Capitol building after police wereordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources toldThe Hill.
According to the sources, police officers were livid when theywere told to fall back by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse andDeputy Chief Daniel Nichols. "They were the commanders on the scene," one source said,who requested anonymity. "It was disgusting."
After police ceded the stairs, located on the lower west frontof the Capitol, the building was locked down, the source added.
A second source who witnessed the incident said that the policehad the crowd stopped at Third Street, but were told to bring the policeline in front of the Capitol.
Approximately 300 protesters were allowed to take the steps andbegan to spray paint "anarchist symbols" and phrase such as "Ourcapitol building" and "you can’t stop us" around the area, thesource said.
Morse responded to these claims in an e-mail Sunday afternoon,explaining that the protesters were seeking confrontation with the police.
"While there were minor instances of spray painting ofpavement by a splinter group of Anarchists who were seeking a confrontationwith the police, their attempts to breach into secure areas and rush thedoors of the Capitol were thwarted," Morse said. "The graffiti waseasily removed by the dedicated [Architect of the Capitol] staff, some of whom responded on their day off to quickly clean the area."
He added, "It is the USCP's duty and responsibility to protectthe Capitol complex, staff and public while allowing the public to exercisetheir First Amendment rights … at the end of the day, both occurredwithout injury to protestors or officers."
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
I fairly certain that would NOT include vandalism if you were doing it - or any other conservative.
Inexcusable!
To let these punks deface the Capitol should lead to some early retirement for whomever was in charge.
Keeps down the workman's comp claims.
I don't like it either. "They wanted a confrontation." And you didn't give them because WHY? You were scared of them?? Not good for little children. Not good for adults acting like little children. Then THEY think they run the show. Perhaps they do.
Somebody should get canned or demoted for this stupid decision. The principle of "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile" is foremost in these situations. The next chapter of the Anti crowd will be far more flagrant and disgusting to the people of America.
Anyone want to bet when these photos are going to be plastered in the headlines across the country?
Because we know what would happen if pro-life protestors did this...
vandalism=free speech......great defense(s)
They make the CPD turn their back too often according to someone I know who works CPD. This is more than disgusting, it's an outrage. I'd bet $ any conservative would be arrested for spraypainting what was written. They let these animals take over every time there is a protest
I can not believe that they were not arrested either!
That's exactly what they want.
These people should be HUNTED Down, and Imprisioned 4LIFE!
What disgusting (I didn't know the 1st Amendment covered vandilising someone else's property): In this case mine, and every other American taxpayer!!
These Jerks!!
Jackie, what does daddy think about this?
Conservatives do not vandalize.
When we stage rallies, we say the Pledge of Allegiance, pick up our own garbage, fly Old Glory, shower beforehand, have police smile and wave at us, but not vandalize.
Count on "anti-war protestors" to act in a stupid, immature manner.
Never show fear to a predatory animal. That is exactly what the Capitol police commanders have done, they have turned their officers and the entire Congress into so much uncovered meat for the anarchist beasts. They should be fired before the sun comes up tomorrow.
Just how does a person become Chief of U.S. Capitol Police without being able to distinguish free speech from vandalism?
Unfreakingbelievable!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.