Police action an egregious abuse of power
UPDATED Version
Atlanta, Georgia – Bob Roethlisberger was arrested and jailed over Thanksgiving weekend in a northern suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, on the charge of “Disorderly Conduct” for driving Operation Rescue’s Truth Truck bearing signs with photos of aborted babies. The Truth Truck was impounded.
Gwinnett County Police Department officers arrested Roethlisberger Saturday after telling him that signage on the Truth Truck was “vulgar and obscene.” Officers ransacked the back of the Truth Truck without a warrant and ordered Roethlisberger to change or remove the signs. When he refused, he was arrested and incarcerated for three days before being released on $1,000 bond.
The Truth Truck was released from impound late Monday, however both the signs and the mounting hardware on the truck were damaged when police forcibly ripped the signs off the sides of the truck. Monetary damage to the property is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars.
“It is obvious that these police officers, under the direction of Major Thomas Bardugon, engaged in a serious incident of unconstitutional content-based discrimination and illegal distruction of property,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Bob fully cooperated with officers, but refused to compromise on his message, which is unequivocally protected by the First Amendment. The officers misused their authority to punish Bob for expressing a viewpoint that ran counter to theirs. The arrest was nothing less than an egregious abuse of power.”
Newman discussed the matter with Major Bardugon who refused to drop the charges and threatened to arrest Newman if he drove the Truth Truck through Bardugon’s jurisdiction.
The Truth Truck was in Georgia because of a recently introduced Human Life Amendment that is scheduled to be considered by the State Legislature in January. The Truth Truck’s mission was to help draw the attention of Georgians to the reality that abortion brutally takes an innocent human life, and emphasize the need to ban the grisly procedure.
Operation Rescue manages a fleet of Truth Trucks that have traveled tens of thousands of miles from coast to coast over the past seven years. The right to display those images has been upheld in courts across the nation, which have also ruled that obscenity laws do not apply to aborted baby images.
“We intend to vigorously fight these unjust charges, and will seek a remedy for our property loss,” said Newman. “We cannot allow the illegal use of police authority to bully us into silence, when such silence could cost innocent human lives.”
Please contact the Gwinnett County Police Chief and ask for:
Chief of Police Charles M. Walters
770-513-5000
Charles.Walters@gwinnettcounty.com
Another utrageous abuse of police power against an anti-abortionist because they did not like his message. Where do these police get the idea they decide what people are allowed to do?
Are we not guaranteed the Freedom of Speech ,under
the First Amendment?
I wonder how many police officers are required to
KNOW the Constitution, and it’s Amendments? This is
not a derogatory comment, I truly am curious.
The police action in Ga. is an outrage, not only to
pro-lifers, but to ALL U.S. citizens. Is this RIGHT, the next
one to be chipped away?
We must not allow ourselves to be bullied by the police,or any organization or person. Life is precious, and must be protected. God Bless Troy and O.R. in his
endless fight for the voiceless. Know that many stand
behind you and support you, Troy!
As has been said, “All it takes for evil to triumph, is for
good men to do nothing.”
yes the pics on the truth truck ARE VULGAR and OBSCENE!!! and guess what!!! the pics are displaying the VULGAR and OBSCENE nature of abortion! to those police officers…stop being WIMPS! ABORTION IS LEGAL and THEREFORE PICS of it are LEGAL TOO! if the pics upset you….GOOD! maybe you’ll stop being shame-faced wimps and get out there and help end this pre-natal infanticide! I know I’ve done walks for life around abortion clinics and the cops always try to intimidate you…where are the pro-life cops?
As I wrote to police Chief Charles M. Walters…”The vehicle is dubbed the “Truth Truck” for a reason. Photos displayed on its trailer accurately depict the barbarism of legal abortion. It’s a truth that most people, pro-life or otherwise, would not rather see. It’s a truth that is chipping away at the moral fabric of our great country.”
Josh Green here, a reporter with a newspaper in metro Atlanta covering Robert Roethlisberger’s arrest. If anyone would like to comment in his defense, or would have a contact number for Roethlisberger himself, feel free to call or e-mail me before 9 p.m. Central Time today (Tuesday). I’m at (770) 963-9205 ext. 1303. Or at josh.green@gwinnettdailypost.com
Thank you.
Does not the U.S. constitution, which is the supreme law of our land mean anything any longer? The first amendment is there so that we may speak out against evil of any kind without fear of reprisal. Abortion is probably the most heinous crime foisted upon humanity that this world has ever seen, and the gruesome picture of what it is, needs to be advertised and made known!! God bless Robert Roethlisberger for his courage!! He should not only have charges dismissed and damages paid, but Police Chief Charles Walters should be dismissed from his position as an officer of the law for his willingness to disregard the supreme law of our land!!!
Bob has got to go and no pun intended, get a life and go Christmas shopping! Of course we have the grubby media all in here trying to het in there as well.
As a Christian and as a parent I do understand and agree that abortion is wrong!! No two words about it. However, after reading these post, several things come to mind. Remember that I am a believer in Jesus Christ!!!! My opinion is that the driver of this truck was given an opportunity to remove the signs and he refused the authority, given by GOD. The pictures are disgusting to say the least! They also are obscene! No different than if the pictured showed two gay men engaged in a sexual act!! Obscene is obscene!! The constitution does not guaranteed anyone the right to be OBSCENE. Get your facts straight!! Operation Rescuers president says that “a picture is worth a 1,000 words.” If your offending voters, that same picture could be worth a 1,000 votes for the democratic party. Remember the WORD, anyone whom causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and cast into the sea. What do you tell a 3 year old whom has no recollection of what sex is or can’t understand conception? “What is that on the picture Daddy?” Give me a break! The bible does not condone this type of action as it also dose not condone abortion. Two wrongs do not make anything right. These pictures are obscene to younger childeren and also may have long term negative effects on any child. This type of action needs to stop as does abortion. Fight abortion, but not in this radical way!!! I feel as though I should call Chief Walters and apologize for the actions of my misguided christian brother, trucker Bob.
You may not be aware that citizens are under no legal obligation in this country to obey unlawful orders from police officers. In fact, it is our protected right as citizens to refuse to obey unlawful orders from police. As such, Bob exercised his right as a citizen to refuse to comply with an order that was unlawful and violated his precious Constitutional rights. This action was completely in lin4e iwth Biblical teachings. The property destruction committed by police after Bob rightfully declined their unlawful order really illustrates who the lawbreakers here are. You owe Bob an apology.
As far as the images go, the old saying applies: “The same sun that hardens clay softens wax.” Hearts are going to be hardened by the images, but many will also be softened and changed. Operation Rescue tells the truth and leaves the results up to God.
It is a known and proven fact that the images of aborted babies save lives and change hearts to the pro-life position. By putting the signs away, there is a very real possibility that a baby could die that could have been saved. Those lives saved by the graphic images are worth a few bruised feelings. (At least those who complain about the signs are alive to complain!)
Children are not adversely affected by viewing the signs unless the parents freak out and cause trauma to their own child. I have seen this happen over and over. The parent’s bad behavior upsets the children worse than the images.
The abortionists want to pro-lifers to stop using the dead baby pictures. Look who you’ve aligned with!
I have chilrdren and if my kids had seen this, they would not have gotten the message, but they would have had nightmares.
Everyone on this site makes me sick. How dare you display pictures of a woman’s choice. You should all be ashamed of yourself’s for trying to make decision’s for the world. Mind your own business and look at your own families.
The truth shall set you free…..so shall it be said in pictures on the side of a truck. I am sure that the Major isn’t throwing a fit over all the indecent pictures on the magazines at the grocery store or about all the prostitues walking the streets or the advertising strip joints or other sin going on. I have to ask….Where is the Major’s motives. Why is he targeting the pro-lifers? You would think that a MAJOR would be the first person to protect a person’s constitional rights. Hmmmmmm…kinda makes ya wonder.
kim dixon, stacy nelson, jay brook, you are all wrong. I have posted before that I first saw a picture of an aborted baby when I was a tender eight years of age. It upset me, it also made me pro-life. It also kept me pure through my teenage years when all my friends were sexually active. children will be upset…they may also be convicted to respect life…and that conviction may stay with them through their young adult life as they are confronted with new situations and making life-altering descisions. Jay Brook…I dare say its because of Christians like you, afraid to offend, afraid to take a stand that abortion still exists in this country. where is your outrage over ABORTION…not photos? as a Christian you are to be the salt of the earth. you are to call sin for what it is. you are to point out sin and condemn it. Christians afraid to touch such sensitive topics as abortion is why we have untold “Christian” girls having abortions!!!! I can think of several from my own church…supposed Christian girls who killed their unborn children. take a stand Jay.
To those detractor’s who have posted. Bob broke no traffic laws, yet he was subjected to harassment, and subsequence arrest for what???? CONTENT of message. This has been argued in the court ad infinitum, and it comes down to free speech and First Ammendment activities. Yes, the pictures are disgusting. Anyone with half a conscience ,should be shocked at these pictures of murdered boys and girls. And the children who see these pictures are not the ones who are horrified, it’s the parents who feel compelled to lie to their children, rather than tell them the truth on what really happens to these little boys and girls inside an abortion clinic. These are their peers who are being slain. These are their future classmates who are being dismembered by butchers. I ask you detractors, “where’s the compassion for these murdered babies?”
Vanessa is unaware that not obeying the law makes you a criminal. Weather or not an officer is right or wrong not doing what they tell you to is a crime of disorderly conduct. If you disagree you should take it up with the court system and prove you are innocent in an non viloent manner as suggested by the late Dr. King. It is also obvious that no one on this site has the slightest clue as to how the justice system works. If you would like to request the dismissal of charges against Roethlisberger, you need to contact the district attorney’s office not the police chief. Once the arrest had been made it is out of police hands and the decision of charges rest on the DA. I also find it quite amusing that I know this comment will never make it past the moderaters who are afraid their cultish followers might actually find out the truth.
Stephen,
Clarity of thought is not your strong suit. You mention Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He broke laws, refused lawful orders, was arrested, convicted, and spent time in jail in order to defend civil rights.
Bob passively and peacefully refused to obey an UNLAWFUL order, which violated his civil rights. His charges will never hold up in court. The violence was perpetrated by the police who slashed the signs off the sides of the truck to prevent the message from being seen.
I have seen the press release from the Gwinnett County Police that indicates that they are reviewing the matter with appropriate counsel and will make a determination as to whether or not charges go forward, so in fact, the police department is the perfect place to voice opinions, especially in light of the civil rights violations and destruction of property engaged in by their members.
The only thing amusing about this is that you are so ignorant of the facts that you can laugh at others for knowing more than you, and not understand the irony!
hey allz. this guy had it coming. you all need to take it easy, get a ‘life’ (lol) and keep it real. Anybody got some hot sauce?
Stephen-I thought in this country, we are INNOCENT, until proven guilty, not the other way around. The police
have to prove him guilty- I think I remember a little of
my civics.
And should all laws be obeyed at all costs? I am borrowing from a fellow pro-lifer, but if you see a child
drowning in a pool ,but there is a fence with a sign affixed to it that says “No trespassing” , do you obey
the law and not trespass? Or is Life precious enough
to disobey this law (sign) and trespass to save a life?
Jay- I also am a Christian parent. I have been actively
pro-life for 23 years. My 2 sons (ages 24 and 30) grew
up seeing graphic pictures, brochures, signs, etc. They
were not emotionally or spiritually disturbed. Quite the
opposite. They make me very proud. They are both pro-
life, well-adjusted, contributing members of society. Kids
can deal with the Truth ,presented in the appropriate
manner. It’s adults who have problems with this. Believe
me, your children will not be scarred.
These pictures are horrible- you’re right. But they have
been brought before the Courts, who have ruled for years that they are not obscene and have a right to be
shown. I do know this as fact-I am one who holds the
large ,graphic signs at many locations ,with my fellow
Christians. How you see these pictures of abortion, , to 2 homosexual men is beyond me.
You say that you believe in Jesus, in God. I am not
doubting this. However, are we not to speak the Truth?
Please refer to your Bible. There are so many passages
on abortion ; and the driver was only witnessing the Truth- he did no wrong.
Anyway ,I just read the breaking news on the truck in
GA- kudos to Troy and GA! Good job!
What ever happened to FREEDOM of Choice… not just FREEDOM of speech… You can get your message across without displaying obscene and vulgar pictures. Freedom is Freedom no matter how you look at it, each person is entitled to their opinions and beliefs. You all call yourselves Christians, but Christians are NOT supposed to judge others.. Take a good look at yourselves….
Okay now that we have all jumped on our band wagon about this. let me ask you, where are the screamers and criers at when Obama refuses to wear a Flag on his lapel, refuses to place his hand over his heart during the pledge or National Anthem, and refuses to place his hand on the bible when he gets sworn in, but we will consider electing him as president and our commander in chief, where were these same criers when we had the idiots marching against the town in New Orleans or Braselton Ga. when hypocrites pushed to remove the Ten Commandments in which our CONSTITUTION was based on, or when because we don’t want to violate the rights of the illegal immigrants by praying in our schools and saying the pledge or “In God We Trust.” You all are a bunch of self righteous, self serving hypocrites when you call yourself Christians. or even better when you get these other idiots that have chosen to change our “CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY” and make us say Holiday Season. Well you all should be ashamed of saying or walking under the blanket of being a Christian when you don’t have the balls to stand up for what Christianity is all about. I don’t agree with the way this was handled but when I am standing there protecting you when you are getting the hell beat out of you because your spouse came home drunk and wants to use you as a punching bag, or your loved one is murdered by a drunk driver as was my very own family, or when someone steals your car and you want me to spend many countless hours looking for it, or standing out in the freezing cold rain working the wreck that you caused because you were driving H.U.A. and you have killed one of those small babies that did have the opportunity to live for a short period or for that idiot Mother that has left her one year old child inside a freezing cold car with no warm covers or someone to protect it but people like me. Yes i have to deal with every one of these issues over 30 years of Law Enforcement experience and I am not afraid to say so. You expect me to protect your hypocritical butts but will turn on me as an officer in a heart beat unless you need me. you will cuss me and scream at me but when I stand up and protect you or get you home safely or make your home safe. My point to you hypocritacal @#$%#$$. Quit judging all police officers as if they don’t protect your civil rights or provide you with safety while YOU violate the constitution of this country.
KEEP ON FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT BROTHER ROBERT!!! I read about your arrest from overseas. I am returning from a missions trip in Southeast Asia where abortion is almost unheard of. I was invited to preach the Gospel in several public highschools and police stations here. These people still want God in the government.
I am on my way back to the USA and will unleash an arsenal of abortion banners when I get back.
JUDGMENT IS COMING ON APOSTATE AMERICA! KEEP WARNING, REBUKING, AND CALLING AMERICA TO REPENTANCE!
God Bless
Your FellowSoldier,
David Bane
Director, AxeToTheRoot Ministries
Randy,
Dear Sir, you surely don’t understand the mindset of pro-life advocates. Most of those involved in activism are the cream of the crop of God-fearing Americans, who place God first, then their country. These folks are moms, dads, and singles, who have led productive, law abiding lives, unless they are told to obey an unbiblical or unconstitutional order. Above all, it’s their love for this nation, that drives them to warn the inhabitants of this land, that if America does not repent, and stop the bloodshed, God will bring sudden destruction upon it. It’s out of love and duty to their Lord and Savior, who is their King, that they warn the wicked ( see Ezekiel chapters 18, 22 and 33)
If the message on the truck saves babies lives, it is worth it. If people get upset of the pictures and feel it upsets children, well they’ll get over it but babies lives are the most important thing. Their lives are at stake n, not the lives of the people upset of the pictures. They are already alive.
Take a moment and really LOOK at the picture on the truck above.
Now multiply that by 4400 a day
Multiply it by over 1 million per year
Multiply it by 50 million in 34 years
At no point has anyone mentioned the fact that the picture is NOT a child.
All gestational ages from week 1 until week 40- it is legal.
What are we doing to America? Instead of talking about “showing” a picture….where are the comments about the action the picture represents? Is all this a distraction to keep from talking about the truth? This a child, a dead child, who was “legally” murdered in the United States of America where “we are all created equal” and “endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights…Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” We’re either hypocrites or we’re schizophrenic.
I am also a police officer that does not agree with the way this was handled. I am pro-life and have been for 31 years. I don’t agree that the message should be displayed in such a manner, and I also don’t agree with the way it was handled by the police. I do believe that the police were acting in good faith (doing what they thought was right at the time), however there is the 1st Amendment. Please to all, remember that this does not represent all police as it doesn’t represent all pro-life supporters. We are out there daily putting our lives on the line for citizens. As Randy said, I too have had family members killed by a drunk. We are out there all hours of the night, risking our lives on the interstates to ensure that all of you make it home safe. Not to mention the countless situations that we put ourselves in when you as citizens call for help. Many officers have died in the line of duty protecting and serving their communities. Don’t judge us all because a few may have handled this in an inappropriate manner. Will there ever just be peace in this world???
Those crying about having no right to publicize a “woman’s choice” are just being ridiculous. Do you respect a man’s “right” to shirk his responsibilities and run out on his kids? At least dad is just being a deadbeat and not actually murdering his kids because he doesn’t want to deal with his responsibilities. Oh, and it is his body when he is being forced to work for decades to support a child he didn’t want, unless of course you are actually going to argue that there is a child-support fairy that leaves money under dad’s pillow every month. Of course women can’t be told what to do with their bodies but you never seem to mind at all when society tells a man what he will do with his body for the benefit of his children. Why are you not in favor of the “right to choose” for men too? I’d really like to see the abortion issue taken up in the courts as en equal protection issue. If women get at least three months to terminate their parental responsibilities then so should men. Wonder how many states would allow abortion if it meant also allowing men to act as equally irresponsible and washing their hands of their responsibilities. I’ll tell you how many – zero. Our society would never allow men to act as irresponsibly as it allows women.
In another nod to your abhorrent hypocrisy – Do you advocate the removal of all of the “deadbeat dad” posters all over the place since this is a private family issue? Do you advocate that pictures of people murdered by firearms not be allowed to be displayed or is that just fine since you happen to be anti-gun as well? You liberals are so hypocritical it is nauseating. Since you respect people’s rights over their bodies then you’ll stop whining about smokers and obese people too won’t you? After all it is their body now isn’t it? While you liberals are playing the victims and whining about everyone else costing society so much money, don’t forget about how if we had another 60 million working age people come the year 2030, which we would have were it not for abortion, we would not even be close to having any type of social security crisis. Maybe we need to take a cue from the liberals and sue the abortionists and women who have had abortions to “recoup” some of the losses that society incurs because of abortion. The liberals really seem to like suing everything they don’t like under that guise. You get to play dirty but no one else gets to, right? Sorry, no longer!
Casey, I’d suggest you review the Constitution. The First Amendment specifically states that we have a right to freedom of speech. There is NOTHING, ZILCH, NADA about so-called “freedom of choice,” aka child killing, in the Constitution. Abortion zealots so often claim it’s a “Constitutional right.” Go tell us precisely where it is in the Constitution.
Furthermore, when you use the word “choice” think about the fact that abortion ends up DENYING choice to the baby that is killed. Think about the fact that a girl can be aborted just as easily as a boy. That girl will never grow up to be a woman and have women’s rights. Thus, pro-abortion zealots are the real anti-choicers and the real obstacle to women’s rights.
Jay, interesting comments. In a demonstration in my local area over the summer which involved graphic signs showing what “choice” looks like, a pro-abortion zealot had the same kinds of comments. She claimed to be prolife but objected to the signs because of her kids. I have to wonder if pro-aborts have guidebooks on how to object to various prolife activities. The fact that you would propose apologizing to these anti-free-speech thug “police” officers shows your true colors in my opinion.
The bottom line is this. Police are supposed to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution provides freedom of speech; it does not say as long as the police agree with the content. There were historical leaders that found freedom of speech to be quite annoying: Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, etc. I don’t think such people enjoy a positive view by historians. The police in this case FAILED IN THEIR DUTY. On top of that, they destroyed property which did not belong to them in their rush to commit government censorship (something banned by the United States). Government censorship was a part of life in the likes of NAZI Germany, Soviet Russia, etc. This specific police department needs to understand that we do not live in a totalitarian regime where they get to make up the law as they go. Sorry if this reality check is an inconvenience to them and their bloated egos, but that’s the way it is.
cw:
You should not refer to the “police department” when you say that “they get to make up laws as they go”. Those officer’s actions unfortunately reflect on the police department, however that doesn’t mean that the police department as a whole acts in such an unprofessional manner.
Anonymous, I disagree. The POLICE DEPARTMENT did not immediately drop the charges. The POLICE DEPARTMENT did not announce immediate disciplinary actions against ITS EMPLOYEES in a manner such as requiring them to take a mandatory class reviewing the U.S. Constitution (something junior high school students learn about), requiring unpaid leave, or just outright relieving them of their positions. It is frightening that this police department has employees who leave the impression that they believe they can make up the laws as they go. The POLICE DEPARTMENT has not made a public statement admitting these officers were WRONG and failed to follow the Constitution of the United States. They’ve merely said that for the time being they won’t make similar arrests. That is far from an admission of wrongdoing.
Anonymous, one bad apple spoils the bunch. These police officers are employees of this POLICE DEPARTMENT. They are not independent contractors. The POLICE DEPARTMENT has many options to avoid having a reputation of disdain and disrespect for the U.S. Constitution. As yet, I am not aware they have done anything satisfactory.
I’m deeply troubled with the level of anger in these post from the pro-life crowd. I am a pro-life Southern Baptist pastor. I find abortion abhorrent. But when we allow the abortion debate to reduce us to hateful name calling, we’ve lost the battle already. We should be able to make our case with scripture, with logic, and with love. I find phrases such as “In another nod to your abhorrent hypocrisy” very damaging to our cause.
cw, it is not the police department that has the power to drop the charges. The case is in the hands of the Solicitor’s Office. Unfortunately, just as in any criminal case, you are innocent until proven guilty. One thing I’m sure the police department is doing is fully investigating the incident. There is a process to everything, and there are two sides to every story. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I haven’t seen or heard anything from those officers that were involved. I’m sure that when internal affairs completes their investigation we will all hear more from that department, and if it is determined that the officers violated Georgia State Law or Departmental Policy they will be dealt with. Being in Law Enforcement, I am familiar with the fact that a lot goes on in police agencies that the public never knows about. I can assure you that some action has been taken behind the scenes, and when they determine their course of action the public will be made aware. I have heard nothing but good about that department. Chief Walters is a very professional and thorough person. He does not jump to conclusions. I feel confident that he will do the “right thing”, whatever that may be, when he has all the facts in front of him. He is known for his good work all the way up the east coast and he didn’t become Chief based on a vote. He earned that position and he will deal with this situation.
Trust me, I agree with you that it is frightening when a few officers make decisions that reflect on an entire agency. I wear a badge, and I’m sure that I have been questioned, not knowing it, just because of this one incident. The message I am trying to get across to people is that a few officers are not a police department. Although I know better, I wish the public would not look at all police as if they were the few officers that did this. I have learned a very valuable lesson in this line of work. I don’t Monday morning quarterback, and I don’t believe everything I hear. I wasn’t there that day, so I don’t know exactly what happened and why. I’m sure everyone that has read these comments has been judged unfairly at some point in their life. Give the department time, and I’m sure a lot of questions will be answered, and then form an opinion on the “department”. I do agree that what appears to have happened was wrong and those officers should be dealt with….for good!!
Anonymous, sorry, your words are not enough. In fact it sounds like a view from rose colored glasses. No, I do not expect any internal investigation to happen nor do I expect the public to hear anything about it. It will just quietly disappear. There is so much going on that people will forget about it. I think the fact that the POLICE DEPARTMENT was not even open to receive the demand letter this Saturday speaks volumes. As the chief is in charge of this department, in my opinion it speaks about him as well.
Anonymous, I have personally witnessed situations where police have said prolifers cannot peacefully and legally witness in front of an abortuary on Constitution Day of all days! The witness happens every Saturday without incident. When reminded what day it was, the officer’s comment was “so what?” I was once witness to an act of destruction of prolife property and attempted violence against a fellow prolife witness. When I called the police out there, the officer’s answer was at first “Well, this is the nature of your being out here.”
There are other stories of cops harassing and arresting people who drive trucks like the OR Truth Trucks. In one case I heard of an individual who was arrested in CT and the cop blasphemed our Lord and insulted the Christian faith while the truck driver was taken to the police station. Nothing ever comes of it. The police never bother to present their side to the public because in reality, they don’t have to. They can basically do whatever they want until they come across a group which has the money to fight them.
As I said, one bad apple ruins the bunch. It’s the same in any employment situation. If you have a rude or incompetent cashier at a fast food joint, it reflects back on that business.
Anonymous, you may be a law enforcement officer who knows the law and does everything by the book. If so, you have my respect. In that case, I clearly understand it may be upsetting to hear complaints about colleagues. It’s the same in every profession.
In an ideal world, everything would happen according to what you said. There would be an internal investigation and the police chief would come out and inform the public of the findings. (And most likely, the internal investigation would just declare the officers did nothing wrong even though their charges couldn’t stick since they were not legitimate.) The fact that the charges were so quickly dropped and the police station could not even be bothered to be open kind of says a lot. Unfortunately these types of things happen too many times and get swept under the rug far too often. The police who do not care about the Constitution reflect badly on the entire police department. Until the department makes them obey the Constitution or relieves them of their positions, they will continue to give a bad name to the entire department.
Dear Sirs,
Please email me pdf copies of court charge or filings so I may write an amicus in favor of defendant’s free speech on matter of public concern.
If bloody pictures are unlawful, almost all combat photos would be unlawful. PETA postings would be unlawful.
Send info.
Abortion is murder,it doesn,t matter what name you give it , doesn,t matter weather the baby is partly in the womb or out, doesn,t matter weather it,s an embroy or full figured baby. GOD has already chosen that life; Those who make the decision to abort their own flesh and blood rather than take on their responceibility, whether rape or encesed will give an account before God.Those pictures of aborted babyes are very shocking,I do not like to see them, but who created the image? Those who voted for abortion;The campain for prolife should be able to state their case publicly.The shocking truth should be uncovered and made public for all to see.With the exception of children.
On 1/20/08, my wife took my son and my in-laws out to celebrate my son’s birthday which was earlier that week. My father-in-law took a camcorder with him to picture my son, his grandson. Before using the camcorder, he found out that he forgot to charge battery.
Later that day, they went to a movie theater to watch a movie which my son had been waiting for several days. During the middle of the movie, my father-in-law was asked to get out from movie room. Police officers questioned him and checked his camcorder. The police office didn’t find the camcorder was used to video movie. Also the police officer noticed that it was out of battery and was not functional. My father-in-law doesn’t speak English, so someone found my wife. When my wife came and she was informed that the theater manager doesn’t like my in-laws to stay to finish movie. Then my wife told my farther in-lows to leave the theater to wait in nearby Toy RUS.
After a moment, my wife went back to the theater with my son to finish movie. When she saw the theater manager and asked her’ permission to have my in-laws back to the movie without camcorder or having camcorder kept by the theater. The manager refused. Then my wife asked for explanation, at this moment, one of the police officers got in the conversation. It was not cleared if the police officer had personal interest in the movie theater and he tried to help the manager against my wife by showing his authority. . The police officer was not able to answer why my in-laws couldn’t come back to the movie without camcorder. The officer got irritated and asked my wife for her ID and arrested her. This is against the fourth amendment. And against free speech.
Around 9:00pm (after my wife was put in jail for 6 hours), I was informed that I could have her back on ROR and she was put in to releasing room. But this is not the end of the story. When I got to the jail, I had to wait for 15 hours (10 hours in chilly winter night) to get my wife released.
We need your help to bring back my wife’s innocence. We cannot allow the illegal use of police authority to bully us into silence.
Chief of Police of Albuquerque Ray Schultz
Internal Affairs
(505)768-2880
Good for the Atlanta Police. As for “pro-life”, there are more than enough people already on this planet. Why don’t you religious zealots help the people in need who are already here? Once they are all “saved” then worry about digging into people personal choices.
This is not an issue of first amendment rights being violated. This is a matter of other people deciding for me that my four year old had to see this garbage. Whether or not I agree with the anti-abortion message, does not make a difference. People do have every right to voice their opinions. THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU DECIDED THAT MY FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD SHOULD SEE GRAPHIC AND VIOLENT PICTURES. I cannot carry signs on the side of Sugarloaf Pkwy like you all did today with pictures of naked homosexuals kissing (which is legal whether you like it or not). I cannot force my morals on your children-don’t force yours on mine. If you want to protest abortion, and show graphic pictures, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ONLY ARE SHOWING THEM TO ADULTS-pass out pamphlets or take out ads in newspapers. My four year old cannot get into rated R movies, and those pictures were definitely R rated material!
I applaud anyone who is willing to stand up against injustice—and am entirely pro-life myself–but as the mother of four young children, I can tell you I would not want them to see the pictures depicted on the side of this truck. Although there are many adults who NEED to be shocked by the reality of what abortion truly is, I shudder to think at how a six year old would react to seeing such an atrocity.
Yes, we have our freedoms, but a lot of what is wrong with our nation today is its refusal to take responsibility for the innocence of its youth.
We should protect our children from things which they are too young to handle, and train them up to know the difference between right and wrong. Life and Death.
If the world hadn’t lost sight of this we would have no need for Truth Trucks.