August 29, 2009
It ain't America no more.
Updated twice thrice
So says Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr.
These fine police officers explain how you don't have free speech if your sign has a picture and you can be charged with anything Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. feels like charging you with.
Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. and his accomplice in crime (they didn't name the other officer who explained you don't have free speech when on school grounds) should not be in uniform, in my opinion. Well, non-prisoner uniforms anyway, I think they should be in prisoner uniforms. .
Abusing the power of the state to shut people up unConstitutionally should not be.
It happened in Virginia at my congresscritter's townhall, Jim Moran, which makes me even madder. This stuff is supposed to happen in North Korea, China and Massachussetts, not Virginia.
H/T Pappa Ray in the comments and Gateway Pundit
(edited to change "prison" to "prisoner" for clarity)
Updated with email page for the Reston police station commander in case you want to find out what they're going to do to Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. and his unnamed accomplice. I know I do.
Second update
It wasn't clear, but I gather Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. is possibly a school security guard.
So was he impersonating a police officer by threatening arrest? Can a high school security guard arrest people?
I know some colleges' security forces can detain you for arrest, but this guy threatened arrest.
Looking around, it appears that Fairfax County Police have some school program.
Email for the coordinator of the South Lakes HS program is
scott.bacon@fcps.edu
Perhaps Scott Bacon might have some insights as to what will happen to Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. and his unnamed accomplice who smugly assured Americans they have no free speech rights because they're on school grounds.
Update the third
I heard back from the Fairfax County police, they said he's not a cop but a school security guard and he said he was replying to hundreds of emails this morning. My reply is below the fold
I know you're busy and I appreciate your quick reply, but isn't any law enforcement operation in your county, and not on state or federal grounds, your jurisdiction?
That was a Fairfax County school, therefore, it seems it is the responsibility of the Fairfax County Sheriff's office.
He specifically threatened them with arrest, therefore, he was either impersonating an officer or he was acting as a de facto Fairfax County police officer.
From my experience at a college, their security guards could detain you for arrest, but they couldn't arrest you unless they were specifically authorized to do so by the police in whose jurisdiction they were, which authorization made them officially officers in that jurisdiction.
I really think the Fairfax County police need to do something about this. His actions to threaten a citizen's rights reflect on your department in your jurisdiction and, as I'm sure you've found out this morning, people are taking this seriously and it is being spread far and wide.
So says Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr.
These fine police officers explain how you don't have free speech if your sign has a picture and you can be charged with anything Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. feels like charging you with.
Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. and his accomplice in crime (they didn't name the other officer who explained you don't have free speech when on school grounds) should not be in uniform, in my opinion. Well, non-prisoner uniforms anyway, I think they should be in prisoner uniforms. .
Abusing the power of the state to shut people up unConstitutionally should not be.
It happened in Virginia at my congresscritter's townhall, Jim Moran, which makes me even madder. This stuff is supposed to happen in North Korea, China and Massachussetts, not Virginia.
H/T Pappa Ray in the comments and Gateway Pundit
(edited to change "prison" to "prisoner" for clarity)
Updated with email page for the Reston police station commander in case you want to find out what they're going to do to Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. and his unnamed accomplice. I know I do.
Second update
It wasn't clear, but I gather Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. is possibly a school security guard.
So was he impersonating a police officer by threatening arrest? Can a high school security guard arrest people?
I know some colleges' security forces can detain you for arrest, but this guy threatened arrest.
Looking around, it appears that Fairfax County Police have some school program.
Email for the coordinator of the South Lakes HS program is
scott.bacon@fcps.edu
Perhaps Scott Bacon might have some insights as to what will happen to Officer Wesley Cheeks, Jr. and his unnamed accomplice who smugly assured Americans they have no free speech rights because they're on school grounds.
Update the third
I heard back from the Fairfax County police, they said he's not a cop but a school security guard and he said he was replying to hundreds of emails this morning. My reply is below the fold
I know you're busy and I appreciate your quick reply, but isn't any law enforcement operation in your county, and not on state or federal grounds, your jurisdiction?
That was a Fairfax County school, therefore, it seems it is the responsibility of the Fairfax County Sheriff's office.
He specifically threatened them with arrest, therefore, he was either impersonating an officer or he was acting as a de facto Fairfax County police officer.
From my experience at a college, their security guards could detain you for arrest, but they couldn't arrest you unless they were specifically authorized to do so by the police in whose jurisdiction they were, which authorization made them officially officers in that jurisdiction.
I really think the Fairfax County police need to do something about this. His actions to threaten a citizen's rights reflect on your department in your jurisdiction and, as I'm sure you've found out this morning, people are taking this seriously and it is being spread far and wide.
Posted by: Veeshir at
07:33 AM
| Comments (15)
| Add Comment
Post contains 506 words, total size 4 kb.
1
Waiting for the ACLU to take this up in 5 . . . 4. . . 3. . . 2 . . .1 . . .
Here's the deal: There are limitations on free speech rights for school students (no matter how fucking stupid I think those decisions are, that's the precedent). However, that doesn't per se extend to the property itself. This is just flat wrong and there should be hell to pay.
Here's the deal: There are limitations on free speech rights for school students (no matter how fucking stupid I think those decisions are, that's the precedent). However, that doesn't per se extend to the property itself. This is just flat wrong and there should be hell to pay.
Posted by: alexthechick at August 29, 2009 10:18 AM (lQiq2)
2
Alex:
Hate to say it, but I am sure the ACLU will take this up at the same time they get all worked up over the "Obama can shut down the innertubes" story from yesterday.
Hate to say it, but I am sure the ACLU will take this up at the same time they get all worked up over the "Obama can shut down the innertubes" story from yesterday.
Posted by: eddiebear at August 29, 2009 11:01 AM (xCsz/)
3
the ACLU will define the signholder as UnAmerican, therefore not deserving of their attention
Posted by: Frank G at August 29, 2009 01:11 PM (I+To0)
4
I kind of gathered from the video that they were on the sidewalk, which is really of no great importance. For the whatever officer to deny the first amendment rights of a protester with threats of arrest is just plain criminal, and the guy should be sued in court for violation of the citizens rights.
Secondly, had it been me, I would (I hope and believe) that I would have accepted the officer/whatever's challenge and suggested that he arrest me, but made sure he knew that I would find a rabid lawyer and sue him for maybe $5,000,000.00 (never sue for anything small--you won't even get a court date.)
I think that would have been a successful calling of the man's bluff, for bluff it had to be. But why not get rich during the process. Sue him, his employer, the school, and even the congresscritter.
I hear a lot of other christians asking "what would Jesus do?" Here's another question: What would Paul Revere have done?
Posted by: TimothyJ at August 29, 2009 01:46 PM (IKKIf)
Posted by: Veeshir at August 29, 2009 03:40 PM (/KOcg)
6
Alex (or other blood sucking lawyer types) - It appears this guy was shut out because of the content of his message, and that other folks with signs were allowed in. It seems to me that this should be a relevant point.
(That said, "final solution" is way over the line of good taste in my book.)
(That said, "final solution" is way over the line of good taste in my book.)
Posted by: JoeCollins at August 29, 2009 04:35 PM (peAqC)
7
Joe, I think that you are wrong; while the officer (or whatever he was) may have found the sign to be personally offensive, he had no right to threaten the person who was holding with arrest for whatever he felt like charging him with. Furthermore, as we were told time after time by those opposed to Chimpy McBushitler, we have a right to disagree and debate with any administration. The point to all of this cracking down on dissension is not that the health reform bill is a great thing (and it is very telling that no one has even ONCE defended the bill by describing it, or even quoting from it). Instead, the crackdown is backlash from a group of people who are now getting a dose of their own medicine and cannot stand the taste. They are not interested in a debate over the issues; they are only interested in increasing the governments control over every aspect of our lives.
Posted by: Dave at August 29, 2009 06:02 PM (nxVKL)
8
^true, and like the comment Veeshir made in the "Obama can shut down the intenet" posts from yesterday and today, the most galling aspect is how the left (now in control) love being the bullies and the ones hassling citizens.
Just remember: 2001-1-20-09: dissent is patriotic, now: not so much
Posted by: eddiebear at August 29, 2009 08:48 PM (nZR40)
9
Greetings:
The Ghost of Zimbabwe Future. Get tough or get use to it.
Posted by: 11B40 at August 30, 2009 12:09 PM (5pxU2)
10
I thought about calling someone like the Reston PD or maybe the employer of the rent-a-cop but since I do not live in the area I do not think I would be taken seriously. What do you think, should we make any phone calls?
Posted by: unclezeb at August 30, 2009 01:15 PM (q7Cgi)
11
Emails to the links.
The Fairfax County Cops aren't having fun. The last email I got from them claimed they were looking into it after the first "polite brush off" email.
Scott Bacon is a good place too. He's the one in charge of this stuff as nearly as I can tell.
The Fairfax County Cops aren't having fun. The last email I got from them claimed they were looking into it after the first "polite brush off" email.
Scott Bacon is a good place too. He's the one in charge of this stuff as nearly as I can tell.
Posted by: Veeshir at August 30, 2009 01:17 PM (drcCq)
12
Somebody else did it to so we should allow this to continue, maybe even
increase. Some of us would even support legislation that results in anyone
being arrested if their voice exceeds a certain decibel level. Others
would support a czar who would set up committees to preside over town
halls to look over all questions submitted and approve which are
appropriate and which are not. Others would support invitation only
town halls. Others would support busing in supporters wearing uniforms
who do not vote in that district but will get there first and take up
all the seats. Others will support falsely labeling the attendees and
using trick photography to smear attendees. Some will support
committing violence and vandalism with the intent of making it appear
opponents were at fault. Some will support carrying offensive signage
and pretending to be from the opposition. Some will...............
support behavior that makes the above pale in comparison. Stay tuned,
because freedom of speech and freedom of assembly is being subverted
for political gain in ever increasingly outrageous ways. Eventually
honest Americans are going to hold those responsible by never allowing
them to hold political office again. Expect the cleansing process to
begin in 2010. Ignoring the warning signs is for hacks.
Posted by: Greg at August 30, 2009 02:24 PM (nWGqk)
13
Conservatives will continue to lose until we defend our rights in court. There should be a lawsuit for an amount guaranteed to attract some attention. It should be against whoever employed this man. Until we stand up for our rights in court, we will continue to be treated this way.
Posted by: Scott at August 30, 2009 02:49 PM (OPiRq)
14
Sent to the Fairfax Co. Police:
Your officer was WAY out of line, and needs to learn what is and is not allowed in America. A school -- paid for and supported by taxpayers is exactly the place where controversial topics are subject to the greatest of First Amendment protection! Many of us sat silently while anther president was hounded for 7-8 years with silly BushHitler signs and posters. We would never expect the police to force a speech code. Shame.
They need to sit this rent-a-cop down and explain that if he's bothered by other folk's expression of free speech...then he needs to find new employment. Whoever took the video...That's Truth to Power!
Your officer was WAY out of line, and needs to learn what is and is not allowed in America. A school -- paid for and supported by taxpayers is exactly the place where controversial topics are subject to the greatest of First Amendment protection! Many of us sat silently while anther president was hounded for 7-8 years with silly BushHitler signs and posters. We would never expect the police to force a speech code. Shame.
They need to sit this rent-a-cop down and explain that if he's bothered by other folk's expression of free speech...then he needs to find new employment. Whoever took the video...That's Truth to Power!
Posted by: ukuleledave at August 30, 2009 05:44 PM (netQx)
15
To #10, phone calls from non-residents usually don't get a whole lot of attention, in my experience. And for information purposes, there is no Reston PD. Reston is somewhat of an overgrown subdivision. It exists entirely within Fairfax County, Virginia. Here in Virginia, we have cities and towns that are distinct and not governed by one another. So, for example, there is a Fairfax County Police force, whose Chief is appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. There is also a Fairfax County Sheriff, who oversees the deputies whose duties include, but are not limited to, transport of prisoners to and from court, court security, and several other functions, but are not the actual "Fairfax County Police." In the county where I live, Loudoun, there is a Sheriff, who is elected by residents of the county, and who oversees the deputies who are the actual police force for Loudoun County, in addition to providing prisoner transport, court security, and staffing the Adult Detention Center (county jail).
Not surprised that a glorified rent-a-cop would try and throw his weight around. He has no authority to restrict people's freedom of expression and he knows it. You call his bluff, as one other commenter suggested, and he'll do one of 2 things, either back down and slink away, or attempt to get you to do something for which an actual police officer could be summoned to arrest you (and that could include getting you so upset that you swear at him - a misdemeanor).
Not surprised that a glorified rent-a-cop would try and throw his weight around. He has no authority to restrict people's freedom of expression and he knows it. You call his bluff, as one other commenter suggested, and he'll do one of 2 things, either back down and slink away, or attempt to get you to do something for which an actual police officer could be summoned to arrest you (and that could include getting you so upset that you swear at him - a misdemeanor).
Posted by: TiminVA at August 31, 2009 12:06 PM (6bLB1)
30kb generated in 0.0677 seconds; 67 queries returned 163 records.
Powered by Minx 1.1.2-pink.
Powered by Minx 1.1.2-pink.
