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Loading ...Cop Investigated for threatening rainbow flag carriers
04.17.2009 5:39pm EDT
(Casa Grande, Arizona) A Casa Grande police officer is under investigation after allegedly threatening to arrest a group of gay demonstrators for carrying a rainbow flag within city limits.
The small group of demonstrators on Wednesday was protesting US tax law, which does not allow same-sex couples to file joint returns. The group said the federal Defense of Marriage law forces gay couples to pay higher taxes than married couples do.The police officer was apparently called by a driver complaining that the 8 foot by 5 foot flag had obstructed his view of traffic.
Protest organizer Christopher Hall told The Arizona Republic that the protesters were well behaved.
“I was upset more than anything and confused as to what was the problem,” said Hall the president of Central Arizona Rainbow Equality.
Hall said that he checked with city officials before holding the demonstration and the protesters were abiding by a requirement they be at least seven feet from the sidewalk.
Hall said that the the officer asked for their identification and the protesters complied. They were then told they could not fly the flag “anywhere” in the city limits or they would risk arrest.
“This was wrong,” Hall told The Republic. “They’ve actually violated, in my opinion, First Amendment rights.”
Hall said the group has filed a complaint with police, and that he has a meeting with Police Chief Robert Huddleston on Monday.
“The Casa Grande Police Department will continue to work with this and any other citizen group to respect their right to assemble and demonstrate in a safe manner.,” Huddleston said in a statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding, and look forward to the completion of the investigation.”
>Those of us who live in Arizona are amazed that this could happen in our state.
Being the coolest state in the country would not prevent a few yahoos from doing something stupid once in a while.
Not that we’re “the greatest state,” but Massachusetts is very good in regard to the acceptability of gay people. Remember the guy who took out a hatchet in a gay bar, got chased down south, and was shot and killed by police? He started his rampage in good ole Massachusetts. Alas, he was one of *our* yahoos. Doesn’t make our state less cool.
@ Jonathan
Amazed? I live in AZ too, yesterday I saw a bumper sticker that read “I will sick with Guns and Bibles, You can have Obama”
I am not amazed about how low the police will go in the effing red state….
Amazed huh?!? LMAO at John’s NAIVEITAY!!!
Those of us who live in Arizona are amazed that this could happen in our state. Despite the negative press in last year’s anti-gay marriage proposition, the state has a large number of supporters of equal rights. However, we do constantly have to be vigilent that we make our concerns known to the powers-that-be, and make sure that the establishment does not feel correct in limiting our right to free speech.
Given the numerous ordinances in regard to signage it is very possible that the police officer was confused in what was allowable.
I certainly hope that this isn’t happening in Joe Arpaio’s county. Any gay person who gets sentenced to “Ten City” is pretty much finished due to the fact that they allow skinheads free, unmonitored run of the place. It can easily happen and would make this situation even more severe and deserving of national attention.
This is Christopher Hall, I am the event organizer who had put this rally together. I just want to remind people to help support us on Monday, as we meet with the Casa Grande Police Department at 10a.m. We must not be bullied, as I am afraid we might be because we are so small. We need help with numbers outside the station or calls from people letting the Casa Grande Police Department that we are not alone and have support from all over the globe. Please call the PD and let them know what they did was wrong in this case. 520 421 8700. Ask for Huddleson.
Always, Chris
Back in the days of denim and protests this guy would have rated a “fascist pig!!” comment.
Whatever happened to righteous indignation and the will to take it to the streets?
“The police officer was apparently called by a driver complaining that the 8 foot by 5 foot flag had obstructed his view of traffic.”
Traffic in Casa Grande? How absurd! Remember your civil rights when confronted by rogue cops — in many states you do NOT have to show identification to police IF you are a pedestrian in public, at a demonstration or elsewhere. It is on a state-by-state basis, unfortunately, so maybe Arizona allows it. Best to check with the ACLU.
Also good to know: if stopped by police in your car, ask why you are being stopped. Don’t offer opinions about why (example: “I guess I was speeding) and keep your windows mostly rolled up. If ordered out of your car, lock all the doors or the cop will attempt a search. Do not consent to voluntary police searches — and block their sneaky bypasses of 4th, 5th, 6th Amendment rights. Know your rights to protect yourselves.
Casa Grande. Asked and answered.
@ TigerTzu
AMEN to that!
I would have made sure I was arrested. My lawyer would love an easy First Amendment lawsuit.
There is no god. The belief that there ‘is’ is the real problem and the basis for most of the hate displayed towards us – from benign to murderous.
Get it?
Drop your bibles and step away from the religion.
I would have been arrested for telling the “officer” to go F*CK himself.
If they already got approval from the city officials, what the hell did that cop do besides discrimination of the right to freedom of speech. I don’t like the police trying to be gods on earth. No one is GOD, but God, him or herself.
It’s about time that the police in every city be taught that being gay is not a crime. Oh, and taught that they aren’t gods either.