Last Thursday on GritTV, Laura Flanders had as a guest Ms. Laurie Arbeiter, an artist and activist from “The Critical Voice” organization. She told the story of her being arrested in a Senate chamber where a discussion of the expansion of the Presidency was being held. Her crime? Wearing a shirt that said, “Arrest Cheney First.” Her charge was something to the effect of “Disrupting a Senate Hearing.”
Keep in mind she was just sitting there, minding her own business, not saying a word, listening to the issues. She was summarily escorted out of the room and then handcuffed in the hallway. After this humiliating occurrence, she subsequently went to her arraignment whereupon the charges were dropped. Excuse me?
This is blatant harassment of an American Citizen who was silently objecting to what she believed was an injustice in our country. As she stated on Ms. Flanders’ show, this is a common fear tactic used by those in power to scare individuals from legally expressing their viewpoints.
Another disgusting example of this is Carol Kreck being ticketed and threatened to be arrested if she did not leave a public area simply because she was displaying a “McCain = Bush” sign. Again, minding her own business, not saying a word. Those in power are hoping that by the masses seeing what can happen to someone who peacefully disputes the status quo, no one will come forward in any manner, peacefully silent or otherwise, to challenge authority, thus letting TPTB continue their agenda without interference.
This is not the country I grew up in. This is not the country which can set an example for the rest of the world to respect. This is not the country I want for the future. Free Speech is an inherent right granted us by the Constitution, and no way is the wearing of a shirt with a message counter to the agenda of those in power a violation of that right or an excuse to illegally harass the protestor.
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