Issues with a rally this coming June in Erie.

[Statkowski]

Based on what info? AFAIK, private criminal complaints go to the DA of the county where the offense occurred.

Either way, the chances of someone in the government taking action against one of their own is slim to none, but the paperwork could still be filed on principle.

Police mail out citations to known offenders. D.A. refuses to act on private criminal complaints against officers also carrying in said park. Double standard? I don't know if the courts could stomach that, especially if it went public.

[Connal]

Any specific details you can share?

They followed him to his van, and were video taping him and the inside of the van. When he told them "Hey, it's just sound equipment" they started yelling at him to "settle down".

[blitzo]

Should we file harassment complaints?

[knight0334]

I just got off chat with a coworker/ex-GF who had went to the event. Her vehicle is one of the ones shown in one of those videos getting the license plate # taken.

I gave her some advice on dealing with any possible citation her or her husband may receive. Fortunately Josh Prince is handling things, which will likely result in a dismissal of any charges when the PA Supreme Court rules on things.

[knight0334]

Should we file harassment complaints?

I doubt it. The officers were acting under color of law. While the law itself may have been illegal, it was still on the books. It isn't the police's duty to question the law, only to enforce any law that hasn't been repealed by legislature/commissioners, or ruled against by a court.

[freesoul]

So why didn't the police arrest people and issue summons on the spot?

[streaker69]

So why didn't the police arrest people and issue summons on the spot?

http://forum.pafoa.org/2431331-post-230.html

[freesoul]

http://forum.pafoa.org/2431331-post-230.html

I wasn't sure if there was another issue, I guess since the PA SC has yet to rule they are hedging their bets. At any rate its not the officers, its their higher ups- city council and the mayor.

[Big Kahuna 19547]

I doubt it. The officers were acting under color of law. While the law itself may have been illegal, it was still on the books. It isn't the police's duty to question the law, only to enforce any law that hasn't been repealed by legislature/commissioners, or ruled against by a court.

Not to be an ass, but this was the mentality of the Nazi's and their subordinate officers... Officers have a duty to refuse to enforce illegal laws, and that starts with the DA... Philadelphia passes all types of stupid laws, and the DA says that they will not enforce them because state laws take precedence. The Erie DA should have shut the PD down prior to the event. If they know about preemption and still act, then they do so in bad faith and are not under the color of law.

[masakarijoe]

I didnt hear about this until now. It makes me really angry to see this kind of crap going on in my state. I expected it elsewhere, but not PA.
We must fight this.