I’ve been somewhat remiss in paying attention to my email. A reader passed along word of a rather disturbing occurrence last weekend in Washington DC. Quoting a press release from “Free the Jefferson 1″:
A DC resident celebrating Thomas Jefferson’s contributions to our nation’s founding was arrested at the Jefferson Memorial on Saturday night, April 12th. Now known as “The Jefferson 1,” 28 year-old Brooke Oberwetter and approximately 20 other fans of the founders’ ideas were present at the monument in celebration of Jefferson’s birthday.
The revelers gathered just before midnight to silently dance with iPods and headphones in front of the statue of Jefferson, who once noted that “Dancing is a healthy and elegant exercise, a specific against social awkwardness.” The celebration was intentionally scheduled late at night—the memorial is open 24 hours a day—in order to not disturb other visitors.
Shortly after the dancing began, U.S. Park Police officers began forcibly pushing people toward the steps. According to witnesses, an officer approached Oberwetter, who was near a wall in the chamber, talking to friends, and standing in place “bopping” to the beat of Rob Base’s 1988 classic “It Takes Two.” The officer, later identified as Officer Hilliard, badge number 246, unit D-1, asked her to leave and physically pushed her toward the outer chamber of the memorial.
Oberwetter repeatedly asked the officer what rule or law she was breaking and why she was being asked to leave. The officer responded that she was being “noisy” and “disrespectful” before shoving her against a column and placing her in handcuffs, all under the watchful stare of the 19-foot statue of the author of the Declaration of Independence. Oberwetter did not resist and went quietly with the officers.
Although initially charged with disorderly conduct, the charge was later reduced to “interfering with an agency function” under Title 36, Sec. 2.32 of the code of federal regulations. Oberwetter was released from custody over 5 hours later, and a court date has been set for April 29, 2008.
There’s also apparently a collection of associated videos on YouTube (which, to give full disclosure, I can’t watch as of this writing because I’m rather bandwidth constrained at the moment).
I should also disclose that I haven’t seen the Park Service’s view on the matter.
I would express outrage at the “arrest first and ask questions later” mentality apparently shown by the constable in this situation…but in a sad testament to how seriously our civil rights have eroded, I have to admit I’m not terribly surprised.
There is, after all, a reason why groups tend to seek permits…or at least have an advance discussion with law enforcement…before engaging in a group demonstration in a very public environment. Otherwise you run the risk of encountering a law enforcement official who doesn’t understand surprise situations, and therefore has a nearly-reflexive response of “arrest and disperse”.