Cal. Highway Patrol threaten "Rally For America"

Me | 3/11/03 | Drango

[Drango]

For 18 months the Lafayette Flag Brigade has held a “Rally For America” on the 11th of every month. (see old picture below). Today the California Highway Patrol threatened to arrest us and kicked us off the overpass. SHAME on them. We repeatedly assert our rights to be there and that they were treating us different than the routine protests held by the appeasnicks in Berkeley. The Lieutenant claimed ignorance of that, as it was in a different jurisdiction he asserted. They claim our flag waving was creating a disturbance and slowing traffic. Both sides waved a California Court decision that we felt was controlling.

While we had perhaps 30 people the cops had 10???? The rank and file cops were fairly embarrassed about the whole thing. We embarrassed ‘em on camera but asking point blank if it was the flag they found offensive! Clearly Grad Davis’ administration will give latitude to almost any form of expression except flag waving.

None of us wanted to be arrested so we disbursed. Shook hands with most of the cops... More to come.

The CNN cameras caught most of it, so please let us know if you see anything. We’ll post pictures as we get ‘em.

[JoeFromCA]

Were there any anti-war protestors lurking at the overpass? My wife drove Hiway 24 today, said she saw the flags and also a large peace sign! Maybe she was at the Orinda overpass? Did the peaceniks demonstrate at the Orinda overpass and, if so, do you know whether they received similar treatment from the CHP?

[comwatch]

Amen .. a lot Inspectorette!

[rimmont]

I am sure there are many fine officers in the CHP trying to do a good job in many parts of the state and providing needed services, so I hate to use too broad a brush and criticize the entire agency.But here in L.A. the CHP has been so neglectful it is infuriating. I don't know if the situation is any different now but I know what the situation was when I was a regular commuter and nobody is going to convince me that the CHP was doing ANYTHING! I would love to discuss this with an officer who has worked down here but the bottom line is that an agency which is charged with maintaining safety on the highways WASN'T and maybe still isn't.

[LaraCroft]

Well.. its usually the CHP that is driving 90 mph weaving in an out of traffic. It should be illegal for cops to break the laws.

Sure,,.. they were on an 'emergency' call... that's why they had no lights or siren on and were seen shortly thereafter at a local restaraunt with 2 other CHPs who probably sped and drove dangerously to get there.

And they wonder why so many people hate them.

[Ajnin]

THE CHP IS BASICALLY WORTHLESS as a law enforcement organization.

I have to disagree with you here. The CHP helps the Border Patrol catch illegals quite often. As a matter of fact they just recently spiked a truck loaded with illegals. I think the incident was posted here on FR.

[Ajnin]

It should be illegal for cops to break the laws.

It is illegal for cops to break the law.

[Chi-townChief]

That's what happened here in Chicago in the week following 9/11. By the 20th of September, they were arresting anyone who waved a flag on 95th street.

[mamelukesabre]

What do you expect? They are forced to enforce stupid laws that everyone breaks, and are not allowed to "profile", so the few really serious law breakers out there are harder to catch.

[Drango]

Were there any anti-war protestors lurking at the overpass?

Yeah, one young skull full of mush showed up and hung a so called "peace" sign. A female vet from the '91 gulf war ripped him a new one, several times over, and over, and over. LOL

I and several others carefully draped our flags in front of his sign. He left after the first 1/2 hour.

[comwatch]

"And they wonder why so many people hate them."

Utill that 911 call!

[aruanan]

...people flaunting the law....

...flouting the law....

[rimmont]

"Flouting the law"

Thank you, when I get emotional I flaunt a certain lack of eloquence.

[LaraCroft]

yeah.. and after that 911 call isn't answered, the way millions of them every year are not, I guess they hate them more? If of course, they are still alive.

[bootless]

Unbelievable.

Good for the Lafayette Police. By and large, they're a great group. One of their officers' daughter was in my son's class a few years ago.

[germanicus]

They claim our flag waving was creating a disturbance and slowing traffic

It also might interrupt drivers trying to use cell phones, shaving, putting on makeup or searching for a CD.

[glaseatr]

Ya know, I get caught up in the back up you guys cause every damn month. know something else, it's the ONLY time I don't mind sittin in traffic. May God bless you all.

[3D-JOY]

YES, but maybe not stationary displays.

Our "Stroll for Dole" had about 75 people. Women in big brim hats and red white and blue umbrellas. Men carrying signs and flags. No police problem and they knew well ahead of our plans.

Safety is important. No leaning over or putting things over the railings.

I noticed in VA on the main route into DC there was a flag on almost every overpass. On the inside of the screens mostly. A few hung down toward the road. All have been there since 9-11 I think.

Groups can walk. When just one person is available for an area maybe they can plan a sign to leave for the weekend.

[Drango]

Ya know, I get caught up in the back up you guys cause every damn month. know something else, it's the ONLY time I don't mind sittin in traffic. May God bless you all.

Opppps sorry:-)

And thanks for the support. We don't think there is much of a back-up or we wouldn't be doing it. That said my wife refuses to particicape becasue she thinks it MIGHT be slowing traffic down. As you know the road at that point widdens by 2-3 lanes! And that's just the point we made to the police. Normall rush hour traffic is stalled bumper to bummper anyway.

Someone from Cal-Trans apparently did a survey and found our Rally not to be disruptive, or so the urban legend goes.

We all live in the community and told the cops traffic flow looked pretty darn normal to us!

[sissyjane]

I was going to go today.I've never been before,and didn't know what time to be there.If it happens again next month can some3one ping me?

[Auntie Mame]

Your set up is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! This must have gotten by me, I had no idea you guys were doing this. ABSOLUTELY TOP DRAWER!