Bush Visits Allentown, PA, and I end up in JAIL!!

[AnIndependentTexan]

This was posted at Kerry/Edwards forum here is a link to the post. Posted by Captain BP

http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?showtopic=85425&hl=

Today I took a bike ride on a bike path in a park near my home town. Little did I know that this was the same park Bush picked for his rally. As I rode along, I came to a barricade manned by an Allentown policeman. He told me I had to turn around. When I asked why, he said because of an event with the president. I asked where he was speaking, and the cop said he couldn't say. He then told me to keep moving. Now keep in mind, I was in a PUBLIC park, on my side of the barricade!! I mentioned that the police should have put up signs, and the cop said, "My uniform is all the sign you need, now move it!" I replied, "get a life." At this point another officer from some distance away yelled, "move or be arrested." It is important to realize that 1. I never stopped moving, and 2. I was not in the Bush zone! Frustrated, I replied, "Eat me," to the new cop, and that is when all hell broke loose. I was thrown to the ground and handcuffed, then transported to jail. I was held incommunicado for over 3 hours. Then I was interviewed by 3 Secret Service agents for about half an hour. The questions were invasive (have you ever harbored suicidal thoughts?) and over the top. I was even coerced into signing a MEDICAL release! Another man who had been dumb enough to say something derogatory about Bush, and they SEARCHED HIS HOUSE!!! All this man was guilty of was saying something!!

After another 5 hours of incareration, I was charged with TRESPASS in a CITY PARK!! My bike and I were released just in time for sunset in the middle of the city 10 miles from home. I was never so happy to be back on the road!
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I also want to add that at no time did I cross into the forbidden Bush zone, that the entire incident occured on PUBLIC property, and I never said one word regarding the president. In fact, the entire thing took less than 3 minutes to transpire.

My wrists are severely bruised from the chain-style handcuffs used by the police. I was denied even a drink of water. We don't have to look to Iraq to see prisoner abuse!

One last thing, in all of this, I was never informed of my rights. Guess that bother with that any more!
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Well seing as how I was the only bicyclist arrested in Allentown today at Bush's rally (actually I was merely near Bush's rally), it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that I am me. Point is, should I be afraid? If I should be, than what about all the rest of you? As I sat in my cell, I realized that absolutely nobody knew where I was. I could have gone "missing" is someone was so inclined. There was another cyclist, a woman, that witnessed my arrest. I begged her to stay and witness the entire thing, and so I could get her name. The cop told her to keep moving, and I don't blame her for leaving. Later, back at the jail, he said she didn't want anything to do with me when I brought up the witness.

So much for due process as well.
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I am not interested in suing the city. I even feel bad for the guy that arrested me. He was obviously under a lot of pressure from the SS. I don't even harbor any malice towards the SS agents who appeared somewhat uncomfortable asking these questions. I am sure this comes from the top, and that is what blows me away. I respect the police and the SS. They both have tough jobs. It's the people at the top that are creating this atmosphere of fear and repression.
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I agree, it was a pause in judgement. I over-reacted to the harsh treatment I was receiving. In retrospect, "have a nice day," would have been more appropriate. I am 56 years old, and I do not normally behave that way. Today, I was insulted that city police where being used as security guards for political event being held on public property.

Next time, I will be silent. In fact, I will check the news first, then stay miles away from anything remotely resembling a GOP event.

Thanks for the tip on the Lawyers Guild. I will look into it.
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Actually, I was tear-gassed three times in the early 70's protesting the Viet Nam War. I have always stood up for what I believe in, but today was different. I wouldn't mind being "blooded" while attempting to take a stand. To be violated as I was for attempting to take a bike ride is absurd. Bad comments and all! Still scary, and I can't stop shaking!!
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[NJCher]

1. horrifying

We hear incident after incident like this. Is there any doubt at all that these people have Nazi-like intentions in running this country? It's all there--hard to look at but we must acknowledge it.

I feel so sorry for this man. I've said similar things to cops and never had anything like this happen to me.


Cher

[kispoko]

2. .

but it takes people like you to win democracy in america, so, thanks, and certainly don't feel badly for that, even if it didn't transpire "perfectly" on your part, or so you think (what sense is there in the senseless anyhow? trying to find order to chaos and/or establish "proper" protocol therein will make you go crazy, and, it wasn't you who caused those conditions)

[usregimechange]

3. Fascist Bastards. nt