And I won't put the blame on John Kerry, though I believe he should have been much more forceful than his statement that he would answer the question. Indeed, I believe he should have insisted that
not be arrested.
U.S. Sen. John Kerry's speech at the University of Florida came to a dramatic close Monday, shortly after a vocal audience member was hauled off by police and shot with a Taser gun.
The audience member was preliminarily identified by UF officials as Andrew Meyer, a UF student in the College of Journalism and Communications.
Toward the conclusion of Kerry's UF forum, Meyer approached an open microphone at the University Auditorium and demanded Kerry answer his questions. The student claimed that University Police Department officers had already threatened to arrest him, and then proceeded to question Kerry about why he didn't contest the 2004 presidential election and why there had been no moves to impeach President Bush.
A minute or so into what became a combative diatribe, Meyer's microphone was turned off and officers began trying to physically remove him from the auditorium. Meyer flailed his arms, yelling as police tried to restrain him.
He was then pushed to the ground by six officers, at which point Meyer yelled, "What have I done? What I have I done? Get away from me. Get off of me! What did I do? ... Help me! Help."
Police threatened to user a Taser on Meyer if he did not "comply," but he continued to resist being handcuffed. He was then Tased, which prompted him to scream and writhe in pain on the floor of the auditorium.
Here's the video, so you can make your own judgement.
The incident is rather disturbing to me, because I don't see why the cops moved in (or why the organizers might have sought to have Meyer removed. Granted, he is nutty enough to be a part of the Truther Brigade or the Ron Paul Campaign, but did anything he did rise to the level of an offense meriting this level of action. Indeed, as I watch the video I can't find an answer to his pleading question -- "What did I do?"
1
This Kid got what he asked for, The cops asked him nemerous time's to comply which he didn't do. At that point when he was given a lawful order by several uniformed police officers nemerous times and did not do what they told him, it became resisting arrest. Once he failed to comply with there orders he was subject to arrest and got what he diserved. If he would have stopped and left when they asked him to and went back to his dorm and posted comments about how cops suck that would have been fine. But when he became chilish like an only child that didn't get his way he was spanked for it and now wants to cry about it. Bravo to the men and women in blue.
Posted by: benji at Tue Sep 18 00:29:49 2007 (DMnkh)
2
The video does not show the entire incident. He had an alloted amount of time which expired. When his mike was cut he began yelling and was told, at first by staff, before the police moved in. Although the First Amend gives free speach there is a line which was obviously crossed, you must still follow the rules. I believe, knowing the facts, that the police acted accordingly and probably should have moved him from the floor fasted than they did. He should probably be grateful it was campus pd and the secret service that grabbed him. bottom line HE knew the rules and went to far, HE deseved what HE got.
Posted by: The Wolf at Tue Sep 18 00:42:59 2007 (NI7Ja)
3
again cops are way out of line these cops need to be taught a lesson as well! what need was there to taser him with 4 police officers there? they could have easily handcuffed him. they all 4 should be put in jail and thrown off the police force. anyone know how tao contact this police depT? EMAIL ME
Posted by: kevin at Tue Sep 18 01:03:51 2007 (DMnkh)
4
typical college kid who lacks life experience.
he thinks that resisting arrest is civil disobedience.. no that's a felony!! ya gotta learn the difference!! he went over the alloted time..Besides, getting tasered isn't that big of a deal.. I know..Get over it kiddies..
Posted by: steve dewitt at Tue Sep 18 01:15:01 2007 (M7kiy)
5
I disagree with the both of you. This teenager was expressing his freedom of speech with is within our constitutional rights. He did not say anything that could be seditious libel so he did not go overboard. I understand that their is a time limit that needs to be followed but he was just over zealous which in this day and age it is needed. It is people who are bold like him that keep the govt. in check. Not to say it is John Kerry, who i do like, But there are some govt. people who still step on our rights to be free. He did not deserve to be tasered. Again his rights were hindered because he was not read his rights. As i watched the video the police just walked up to him without an explanation and started to pull him back. I believe there should have been an answer to his what did i do question. However i do believe the way the boy's reaction was inappropriate.
Posted by: trythesignofthecross at Tue Sep 18 01:17:16 2007 (ovpeY)
6
Gave me a break the mic. was cut after the question of the skull and cross bones.The Kerry handlers did not want that.
Posted by: ransom at Tue Sep 18 01:33:53 2007 (DMnkh)
7
I think he should have stopped when the mic was cut, he should have listened to the people running the forum and moved off. He had his say, if Kerry (whom I don't like) wanted to answer the question he could have. He should not have resited being removed. The police acted, I think, correctly to protect themselves. A police office in Louisiana was shot last night because he thought the person he was arresting was unarmed. We don't pay police enough to risk there lives so that people can run his mouth. His right to speak does not outweigh the right of Mr. Kerry to talk.
This person could have been a complete nut.
Posted by: moon at Tue Sep 18 01:53:36 2007 (kosKE)
8
are you kidding me, some of you people agree with what the police did in this instance, its a fckn farce, the boy merely went over his "alotted time to speak" im sorry in this country speach is free, and alright so he went over his time and tried to continue to speak big fckn deal the big deal is that he was then grabbed by police officers with no reason given as to why he was being arrested and was never read his rights, oh and did you see that big black cop he could've easily handled the college student not to mention the 3 others right there with him there was no need to tazer the kid in that instance those cops should at least be suspended from their duties at the very least.
Posted by: sean at Tue Sep 18 01:55:58 2007 (8nB5X)
9
this is brutality reminiscent of the 70's. I thought this was a country where free speech was allowed. Whether he ran over his allotted time or not he should NOT have had a taser used on him. I hope that those responsible are reprimanded and I think the student should sue for damages and harrassment.
Posted by: kathy at Tue Sep 18 01:57:59 2007 (M7kiy)
10
The use of a taser on this student was evil. The police should be arrested. May God help this country which is so quick to resort too violence to "calm people down." THAT IS TOTALLY WRONG!!! Kerry should have yelled "Stop the violence!"
Posted by: mary at Tue Sep 18 02:00:31 2007 (Eg2JQ)
11
The moderator of the event said that the kids time was up, his microphone was shut off. I can only imagine, only because you can't see him in the video, but the moderator was the one who probably motioned for this guy to be removed by Police Officers. He was asked to leave the floor to which he refused and started to resist. You can plainly see this when they attempted to escort him out, he threw up his hands and evaded. When an officer issues a lawful order and you refuse it, and then resist detention, you commit a crime. The Officers where they would have simply escorted him out of the room, now have to arrest him per protocol for committing a crime. Cooperate and you don't have to have the force escalated to bring detention. This was plain and simple disorderly conduct, resisting arrest. All he had to do was cooperate with the event holders when he was told that his time was up. Watch it again and you will hear the moderator order him to stop and then turn off his microphone. The police officers were absolutely right in this situation, and followed protocol to a "T". John Kerry, where he could offer an explanation to the question, this kid would have probably heard this, however, he was to busy throwing a temper tantrum about being asked to leave.
He wasn't refused his right to free speech, he has his say and continued after he was told that his time was up...This was an organized event which required time alotments for each person who wants to ask questions. If you can't respect that, then don't show up....If you plan on being disorderly, plan on getting arrested.
Posted by: Steve at Tue Sep 18 02:32:22 2007 (shM5P)
12
In a society we trust police to keep order. We pay them and give them weapons to keep the peace. We pay them to enforce the laws WE make. The laws WE make. One of those laws is "resisting arrest" Just because someone doesn't agree with the arrest does not mean they have the right to resist it.
Cops can only enforce the laws WE make.....again WE make!!! WE give the police the power.
US!
When a cop tells you........"you are under arrest" DO WHAT HE/SHE SAYS........that is not the time to argue your case...that is what court is for. If you feel you have been wronged..........You (by law) have your date in court. YOU do not have the right to tell the police "NO"
Read up on it...........
Posted by: Jeff at Tue Sep 18 03:21:15 2007 (DMnkh)
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I believe the guy was treated with unfair. So what if the mic was turned off after the last question. He was detained and arrested illegally. I believe most of our government officals look out for their own interests. It would seem that when someone asks them to be accountable for their past actions, they have their goons remove the person who has the courage to ask the uncomfortable questions. So why wasn't his questioned answered, and why didn't we get to hear Kerry's response. Why hasn't Bush been impeached yet. He should be in prison for what he has done in the name of peace. Why do people in this nation blindly believe what is in the newspaper or on the news. It's all edited. Do yourself a favor turn off your TV and get a life.
Posted by: James at Tue Sep 18 04:28:27 2007 (7FgWm)
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The question, of course, was whether the police order was, in fact, lawful. If they were violating his civil rights by their actions (a debatable point in this instance), then the order and the arrest were unlawful and he had no obligation to follow the directives.
Posted by: Rhymes With Right at Tue Sep 18 09:13:38 2007 (4is/N)
15
Since when did they start using "tasers"...In my day (ya, i walked 10 miles in the snow to school each day duh) they used 'billy clubs"...bring back the good ole days....
Posted by: drkshades at Tue Sep 18 23:02:41 2007 (DPDaV)
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The cops involved in this need to lose their jobs - what happened here was nothing less than a case of police brutality. Tasing someone even AFTER they tell you that they'll get up and leave on their own (listen close to the video, you can hear it)?
And the fact that people watched this happen to Meyer and did NOTHING sickens me.
Posted by: Rich at Tue Sep 18 23:36:33 2007 (i7EeX)
17
The issue at hand seems to be that the kid was removed because
his time to speak had expired. This happens at Congressional hearings and debates all the time and people are more often than
not allowed to continue with their questioning. The cops issued a
lawful order? The cops were just doing their job? Bullshit. Ever hear of using one's discretion? Ever hear of common sense? We need people like Meyers to be vocal, to challenge the gov, demand answers, demand positive change, demand truth.
Posted by: FunCity at Wed Sep 19 01:04:38 2007 (Qd82f)
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Some of the comments (like "To me it's really very simple. When a police officer tells you to do something -- you do it.") really scare me. What about this: do as the GESTAPO agent tells you, and everything will be fine.
Since when police officers decide what questions should be asked to a former presidential candidate?
Do as the officer tells you during a traffic stop or similar situation, but not during a political forum that epitomizes free speech.
Posted by: Robert at Wed Sep 19 07:23:51 2007 (yTBI9)
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