News from the liberterrain...
First reports from the frontlines of the Allentown March, Rally and Demonstration came in Friday via organizer Jim Babb's mobile uploads to his Facebook page:
"About 30 protesters made the rally in Allentown a success. Federal Marshals stayed in their little glass palace. TV and newpapers were there. Thanks everybody!"
Jim Babb Driving force behind
the great March, Rally and Demo.
(photo courtesy Jim Babb).
As most libertarians know, the public action was taken to call attention to the unprovoked arrest of independent journalist and videographer George Donnelly and the shifting charges leveled against him afterwards.
Donnelly was videoing a peaceful Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA) outreach effort at the federal courthouse in Allentown when US Marshals abruptly jumped him and confiscated his camera.
The agents clearly violated Department of Homeland Security policy (pdf), which requires them to approach, identify themselves, and interview photographers on federal property and, absent any criminal behavior, "the photography should be permitted to proceed unimpeded."
The DHS policy also states, "All contact with the public, to include photographers, must be conducted in a professional but polite manner."
On the evening of the March, Rally and Demo, the local TV station broadcast the march and interviewed Babb.
(article continues below video)
Group Protests Arrest of Activist (WFMZ-TV 69 News, Allentown PA)
I
In the TV report, Babb was cut short while attempting to explain the conflicting charges leveled against Donnelly.
Babb detailed the contradictions the day before the rally on Cop Block, a website created to highlight "the double standard within police departments."
In the original sworn affidavit, Babb explains, Deputy US Marshall Enrique Trevino specifically stated that he never witnessed George Donnelly striking Claire Burns, the woman who works as a federal Court Security Officer.
That affidavit was withdrawn and the same officer swore out a second affidavit in which he asserts that he personally witnessed George Donnelly deliver the blow to the woman’s face.
Babb then points out that both the first and second conflicting affidavits constituted the entire complaint against Donnelly.
Babb also transmitted photos of the March, Rally and Demonstration: Photography and Pamphleting Are NOT Crimes from the scene of the action and are presented below as a slideshow.
NOTE: Another 34 photos were uploaded to James Babb Facebook while this report was being prepared.
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Comments
I don't have any doubt that the feds are lying (as their changing story attests), but any person who is attacked, as George was, has a right to defend himself against the attackers. Even if those attackers wear the silly hat of government. "Illegal" doesn't equal "wrong".
Theoretically I agree with you Kent... but in practice defending yourself from a bureaucrat is dangerous. Not only do they come down on you like a ton of bricks but the public often blindly support them. I believe we need to be as passive as possible to ensure the perception that we are the true victims.
so whose job is it to charge the US Marshalls re their conflicting documents?
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