Disgraced Pennsylvania judge Mark Ciavarella Jr has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for conspiring with private prisons to sentence juvenile offenders to maximum sentences for bribes and kickbacks which totaled millions of dollars. He was also ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution.

In the private prison industry, the more time an inmate spends in a facility, the more of a profit is reaped from the state. Ciavearella was a figurehead in a conspiracy in the state of Pennsylvania which saw thousands of young men and women unjustly punished and penalized in the name of corporate profit.

According to allgov.com Ciavearella’s cases from 2003 – 2008 were reviewed by a special investigative panel and later by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and it was found that upwards of 5,000 young men and women were denied their constitutional rights, and therefore all of their convictions were dismissed and were summarily released.

During his sentencing Ciavarella was defiant, claiming he had broken no laws and claimed the money he received was a legitimate ‘finder’s fee.’ Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Zubrod said comments such as these were typical of Ciavarella, according to the local reporting of citizensvoice.com:

I think that’s his way of doing things. Never retreat. Always go on the attack. Always blame somebody else. Always get them to back off. He tried it with the judge. It didn’t work.

Pennsylvania Judge Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Selling Teens to Prisons is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

MACHIAS, Maine — A long saga of turmoil, termination and lawsuits involving former Machias Police Officer Richard Strout, who worked for the town for nearly eight years, continues this week.

A former University of Maine at Machias student has filed a federal civil lawsuit accusing Strout of breaking her nose and groping a friend during an unwarranted arrest in the early morning hours of May 28, 2010.

“This guy’s a bad guy,” Attorney Dale Thistle of Newport said Wednesday. Thistle is representing Gabrielle Rushforth, 24, of Machias, in the lawsuit which refers to Strout’s conduct as “malicious, reckless, deliberate and outrageous as to be beyond all bounds of decency.”

The lawsuit, which names as defendants Strout, Police Chief Grady Dwelley and the town of Machias, was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor. The action claims that Rushforth, then 21, and a friend, Sarah Cotton, also then 21 and both students at the university, were walking home to their apartment from a nearby tavern around 1 a.m. when Cotton kicked a political sign.

The suit alleges that Strout, who was on routine patrol that morning, watched the women leave the tavern and followed them in his cruiser at a very slow speed, keeping pace with the two women as they walked.

Strout, who saw Cotton kick the sign, warned her not to touch any political signs. The suit further states that after warning the two women, Strout left but returned a second time when he ordered them to approach his cruiser. Strout asked for Rushforth’s name, address and date of birth, at which time Rushforth asked him why he was asking for her personal information.

During this time, Cotton was telling Strout that it was she who had kicked the sign, not Rushforth, according to Thistle.

“With no further provocation, Strout came out of his cruiser and accosted (Rushforth) shouting repeatedly ‘You’re going to jail! You’re going to jail! You’re going to jail’…” the suit states. Strout then allegedly grabbed Rushforth, slammed her into the trunk of his cruiser, all while Cotton witnessed the actions and repeatedly asked Strout to leave her alone. Strout then forced Rushforth to face him and he struck her in the face with his fist, breaking her nose. He then pepper sprayed the women. Both were then forced into his cruiser “and while doing so (Strout) grabbed and fondled Cotton’s breasts.”

According to Thistle, Sarah Cotton is bringing a separate, similar civil lawsuit against Strout, Dwelley and Machias later this week. Cotton’s attorney, Bill Logan of Newport, did not return a call for information Wednesday.

Rushforth’s suit further states that Strout did not take her to the nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries, had her clothing washed to destroy evidence of blood and pepper spray, and that “Strout is known as a stalker of young women in Washington County and in Machias particularly.” The suit also accuses Strout of asking a fellow Machias police officer to investigate the incident in an effort to cover up Strout’s assaults.

Rushforth’s suit accuses the town and Chief Grady of failing to adequately train Strout, failing to end Strout’s “violent tendencies, particularly towards women” and cultivating an environment at the Machias Police Department which condones injuries to arrestees.

Rushforth and Cotton were charged by Strout with assault on an officer, assault, refusing to submit to arrest, criminal mischief and failure to give correct name. Kicking a political sign is not an arrestable offense and is a civil infraction, the suit clarifies, not criminal mischief. Thistle said all charges against both women were later dropped.

The suit is asking for an unspecified amount of money for lost wages, medical expenses, attorney’s fees and punitive damages. Machias Town Manager Christopher Loughlin said Wednesday that the town had not been served with the lawsuit yet and that he could not comment on ongoing litigation. Dwelley is on long-term medical leave following a two vehicle accident last winter and could not be reached for comment.

Strout, who could not be reached for comment this week, has an up and down history with the town of Machias.

“This guy was hired, then fired, then hired again, made acting chief, then demoted by the town of Machias. There is a long history here,” Thistle said Wednesday.

Strout was originally hired in January 2003 and resigned in January 2009. He then returned to the force in October 2009, according to Loughlin. During his second stint, Strout even served as interim chief for a few weeks while Dwelley was out on medical leave.

But Strout was fired in May 2011 and subsequently sued the town, contending wrongful termination.

In his whistleblower lawsuit, filed in January 2012, Strout claimed that he was fired after he informed the police chief and town officials that a reserve officer was working more hours than permitted under state law.

In the suit, Strout maintained that the chief took offense to these comments and told Strout he had a waiver allowing the reservist to work the additional hours. The relationship between Strout and the chief deteriorated, according to Strout’s civil suit, and Strout claimed that the chief manufactured evidence against him including a stalking complaint.

The suit also stated that his termination was based on an evaluation by a Hallowell psychologist who said he was not fit for duty. Strout maintains that Dwelley met ahead of time with the psychologist and provided him with false information that led to that evaluation.

That lawsuit was settled in December 2012 for $50,000. Strout also was allowed to replace the termination notice in his personnel file with a resignation letter. Loughlin said the town’s insurance covered all but $5,500 of the settlement amount.

Other provisions of the settlement included that town officials were banned from discussing Strout or his employment. All Loughlin would say at the time was, “The chapter is closed.”

Former University of Maine at Machias Student Sues Police, Town Officials, Says Officer Broke Her Nose and Groped Friend is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

The video, recorded by a Greece Olympia High School student begins with a female Greece, NY Police officer yelling at McCloud to “Keep walking!”

A male GPD officer dressed in plain clothes, then yells at McCloud, “Keep walking! Keep walking or you’re going to jail!”

“I’m not doing nothing”, the young man is seen and heard telling the officer .

“You’re blocking the sidewalk!”, the officer yells.

McCloud then tries to explain to the officer that he wasn’t blocking the sidewalk, and that if anything, the officer is the one who is walking towards him.

The angry Greece Police officer then says “Fuck it, you’re under arrest!”, and grabs the young man, twisting his arms, and bringing him down on the ground.

Greece Police Captain Patrick Pelan told me that plain clothes officer is Sgt. James Carris, and the female officer is Valerie Cutt.

According to the teen who recorded the video, there was a fight at the high school, that did not involve the young teen who was arrested.

“They followed us off the property, and then the undercover officer came out of nowhere”, said the teen.

Captain Phelan sees it differently.

Phelan says that Greece Police were disbursing crowds, and that while most of the youths followed orders, McCloud did not.

“If he had walked away, he would have gone home”, said Phelan.

Captain Phelan also said that Corey McCloud took on a “fighting stance.”

“He was in a fighting stance, he had his hands in a fighting position, and he stuck his chest out”, said Phelan.

I couldn’t disagree more.

What I see in that video is bully, rogue Greece Police officers giving an unlawful order to a young man who was doing wrong, simply walking on a public sidewalk.

I also see a young man who tries to explain to officers that not only is he not doing anything wrong, but that in fact, it’s them, who are walking towards him and it’s them who are being confrontational.

“Fighting stance”?

Are you kidding me?

The young man is retreating, backing up, as he’s being cornered by GPD officers!

If anything, I see a young man with his the palms of his hands showing, in a retreating manner.

In fact, never does Corey McCloud use any expletives, unlike Sgt. Carris!

Phelan said that McCloud was charged with disorderly conduct.

I asked Phelan, what exactly did Corey McCloud do in order to be charged with disorderly conduct, but Phelan said that he did not have the criminal complaint in front of him, so he could not say.

I find it interesting that despite Phelan being adamant that McCloud did not follow what he calls lawful orders, he couldn’t tell me exactly what the young man is accused of, without reading the report.

When I asked Captain Phelan what he thought about Sgt. Carris telling a minor, “Fuck it, you’re under arrest!”, he did not hesitate in giving me an answer.

“The use of that kind of language is absolutely inappropriate, and we are dealing with that”, said Phelan, before adding, “It is not acceptable, and does not comply with our professional standards.”

However, Phelan would not say what “we are dealing with that.” meant.

It doesn’t surprise me that Captain Phelan is going to defend his officers’ actions, and justify the arrest of Corey McCloud, I mean that’s his job.

I will however say, that Captain Phelan was very professional in his conversation with me, something I don’t usually experience with law enforcement.

At one point in our phone conversation, when I asked Captain Phelan, who said he had not watched the video, for the names of the officers, Phelan actially logged on to my blog, and I could hear the video playing on his computer, as he watched it.

After watching the video, Phelan immediately gave me the names.

That’s more than I can say for Rochester, NY Police officials, who have given me a run around in refusing to release names of officers whom I have exposed, only for me to get their names on my own, anyways.

As for your comment Captain Phelan, that if Corey had walked away, he would have gone home, no sir, YOUR officers created, then escalated, a completely unnecessary situation.

Your Sgt., James Carris’ own words to a minor, “Fuck it, you’re under arrest!”, and your Sgt.’s behavior, caught on video, show that he was out of line!

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Greece, NY Cops in Disturbing Video of African-American Student Assaulted, and Arrested while Walking on Public Sidewalk, Identified as Sgt. James Carris, and officer Valerie Cutt is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

After Kaitlyn’s 18th birthday, her girlfriend’s parents sent the police to the Hunt residence, where she was arrested. Kaitlyn’s mother told The Examiner, “They are out to destroy my daughter, because they feel like she ‘made’ their daughter gay. They see being gay as wrong and they blame my daughter. Of course, I see it 100% differently. I don’t see or label these girls as gay. They are teenagers in high school experimenting with their sexuality — with mutual consent. And even if their daughter is gay, who cares? She is still their daughter.” Kaitlyn’s father wrote about the arrest, “My daughter was ripped out of her mother’s arms, hysterical. The police finally told us she was being arrested on probable cause.”

NYDaily News reports that Kaitlyn has been charged with two felony counts of, “lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12 – 16 years of age.” She has reportedly been offered a plea bargain of house arrest. Under these conditions, Hunt would be sentenced to two years house arrest and allowed to attend school or work only during that time. She would also endure one year of probation and attend sex offender counseling. Hunt’s mother, Kelley Smith, has until next Friday to accept what she calls the “outrageous plea offer” or take the case to trial.

If convicted, Hunt could face up to 15 years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life.

Kaitlyn’s family took her story public on May 17 on a “Free Kate” Facebook page. Her mother wrote this personal message:

“Anyone who knows me, even a little, knows what kind of person I am. Anyone who knows my daughter Kate, knows how wonderful she is. Kate is an 18 year old senior about to graduate from SRHS. She has an exemplary record at school and home. She has always been a wonderful student, respected and well liked. She has cheered on the varsity cheer team all throughout high school, shes sung in chorus and was voted most school spirited. She has never been in trouble, ever, she truly is the model student and child. At the beginning of this school year, she started dating a fellow student, who happened to be another female. This girl also played varsity sports, was in the IB program, so she was in classes with upperclassman. There was an age difference between my daughter and the other girl, of 3 years, my daughter was older, however you would have thought it was the opposite by just looking at the girls. My daughter is tiny, looks very young, and the other girl looks much older and is much taller, either way there was a 3 year age gap. They were both students in the same high school, it was a mutual consenting relationship on both parts. This was unusual for Kate, she has always dated boys, but being the kind of mother I am, I didn’t want to make it a big deal. I talked to her about it, and figured it was just a social thing, times have changed and a lot of kids are experimenting, so I didn’t make much of it.”

Their family’s “Free Kate” Facebook page has more than 19,000 members.
In addition to the Facebook page, her family has also launched a website to share Kate’s story.

In response to those claiming the Hunt family is expecting special treatment because Kaitlyn is in a same-sex relationship, the Facebook page stated:

“The law needs to change, not only to protect Kate, but to protect the millions of teenagers, boys and girls, straight and gay, whose lives are regularly ruined because parents disapprove of their children’s sexual choices. We want justice for all 18-year-old high school seniors who have undergone criminal prosecution for exercising poor judgement in their dating life. Such students are not predators. They’re just kids.”

Under Florida’s 2007 “Romeo and Juliet” Law, an “offender” can petition the court to remove the need to register as a sex offender if the “victim in the case” is between 14 and 17 years old, “a willing participant in the sexual activity and no more than four years younger than the offender.” This law does not make it legal to have sexual relations with minors, but prevents the accused from being held as a sex offender. Historically the law has never applied in cases dealing with same-sex relationships.

Florida Teen Facing Criminal Charges For Relationship With Female Student is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

We were joined by Copblock Co-founder Ademo for Episode 6 of the Copblock Radio Show.  We had a good conversation with him including what he’s been up to and what the future may hold.  Make sure to like us on Facebook so you get the latest news about the show and when special guest interviews will be happening or are available https://www.facebook.com/Copblockradioshow.

Also this past week we had two interview.  The first was with Peaceful Streets Project – Sandusky and the second was Derrick J from the movie Victimless Crime Spree and his current project PeaceNewsNow.com.

If you have a question or story you’d like us to talk about on the show or you’re with a local chapter of CopBlock or any other police accountability organization and you want to tell us what’s been going on in your neck of the woods be sure to email us at Copblockradioshow@gmail.com

(http://youtu.be/fIJ5Gm_tuFk)

Peaceful Streets Project – Sandusky – Interview Series

(http://youtu.be/I5aOAuNidAU)

Derrick J from PeaceNewsNow.com - Interview Series

(http://youtu.be/T4HSMoWRSCo)

Stories from this week’s show:

LAPD Cop Assaults a Guy Filming His Own Traffic Stop
http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2013/05/16/cop-assaults-motorcyclist-for-video-recording-during-traffic-stop/

Cops Seize Wrong Cell Phone Trying to Suppress Footage
http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/05/16/57690.htm

Baltimore Police Sued Over Deleted Footage (Update):
http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2013/05/15/baltimore-police-sued-once-again-for-deleting-footage-from-citizens-camera/

Police Kick In Door and Tazers Occupants Filming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nyeEz_tBjeU

Wrong SD Card Taken at NYC Checkpoint
http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2013/05/18/nypd-cops-arrest-woman-recording-them-apparently-steal-wrong-memory-card/

10 year old Sentenced In Murder and Rape Plot (Audience question: What’s the appropriate way to deal with this?)
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/16/18293820-boy-10-sentenced-to-juvenile-detention-for-rape-murder-plot?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=5

US Military Civil Power Grab
http://www.longislandpress.com/2013/05/14/u-s-military-power-grab-goes-into-effect/

Florida Shortened Yellow Light to Write More Camera Tickets
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=316418

Keene Robin Hood Blowing Up National and International News
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/city-sues-robin-hood-group-over-parking-meter-223952852.html

Cell Phone Users Have No Right to Location Privacy
http://rt.com/usa/no-cell-privacy-expectation-399/

Man Carrying Umbrella Mistaken for Carrying a Rifle
http://www.theolympian.com/2013/03/20/2469526/man-mistaken-for-wielding-gun.html

California Supreme Court Declines Officer Appeal in Kelly Thomas Death
http://www.kswt.com/story/22265572/fullerton-police-officer-loses-appeal-faces-trial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Kelly_Thomas

Utah Police Corruption Runs Deep
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/us/drug-cases-put-utah-towns-police-force-under-scrutiny.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130518&_r=1&

Flashing Headlights is Free Speech
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1076452_judge-rules-that-flashing-of-headlights-is-free-speech?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=outbrain

Spokane Police Officer Accused of Stalking and Rape
http://www.khq.com/story/22284512/spokane-police-officer-placed-on-administrative-leave

Love County Ohio Undersheriff Charged with Embezzlement
http://www.ardmoreite.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130414/NEWS/130419869

Colorado Sheriffs Sue State Over Gun Laws
http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/18/colorado-sheriffs-sue-the-state-over-new-gun-control-laws/

Man Kicked Out of NJ Hearing For Pro-Gun View
http://gunssavelives.net/blog/video-welcome-to-nj-pro-gun-citizen-forcefully-removed-from-hearing-in-the-middle-of-his-testimony/

Man Moving to Maine Travels Through NJ, Takes a Nap and Gets Sentenced to 3-5 for Gun Crimes.
http://gunssavelives.net/blog/reason-number-7452-to-stay-out-of-nj-tx-man-transporting-unloaded-firearms-through-nj-doing-3-5-years-in-prison/

Cop Block Websites:
http://www.copblock.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneCopBlock
https://www.facebook.com/OhioCopBlock
http://www.ohiocopblock.org/

Eric Freerock’s Liberty Website
http://www.freerockpress.com/

Please send questions or stories you’d like to see to CopBlockRadioShow@gmail.com

CopBlock Radio Show – Episode 6 with BIG ANNOUNCEMENT is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

This isn’t something I ever thought would happen to me. The truth is, I read your web site and Facebook page all the time, so I thought I was prepared. I should have stood my ground, but I was caught off guard and didn’t remember everything this really kick ass site taught me. My mom and me moved to Utah from Arkansas last year and everyone is really nice here, except the police.

I was just exiting the gym in SLC on Saturday May 18th 2013 at about 7:30 PM. I was walking to my truck, then standing outside my car taking a phone call when a SLCPD (Salt Lake City) officer asked me why I was loitering in a parking lot.

I explained that I was just leaving the gym and taking a phone call, and I’d be on my way soon. He told me to basically shut up and made me give him my ID. I asked if I was under arrest and I was about to leave. He said that he didn’t like my “SHITTY” attitude and he took my phone away, which was still connected to my mom, and spun me around to face his police car where he started patting me down. I asked again if I was under arrest and if I could go; That’s when he handcuffed me. When I was illegally handcuffed, he ran his hand ran over my side where my insulin pump is and he asked what it was. I told him it was my insulin pump. He looked at it and said he never saw one like that before; I said that they all look almost identical. I also told him right away that a tube runs from the pump to the port in my belly, and to please be very careful. He told me to shut up and look forward. His hand went over the port and I instinctively moved my hand to guard it. He literally ripped the pump off my belt, pulled the tube out of the port and smashed me into the hood of his car. He yelled into my ear that if I moved again I would get “the shit tazed out of me.” He went through my gym bag and found my stash of vitamins and other stuff I use, (no, not drugs!) like protein powder in a shaker jug and a soft sided cooler where I keep a spare insulin tube, glucose and other medications. I even have a tattoo that says that I am diabetic, and an indent bracelet that says the same thing.

I told him that I need continuous insulin, to which he said that the device is not an insulin pump and that I probably use it for steroids. I asked, “Does it look like I use steroids?” and he got even madder at me. Thankfully, a buddy from the gym came outside and tried to help, but the cop told him to, “Get the fuck back,” and started walking me to the back seat of his car. I asked what I was arrested for. He said that I wasn’t under arrest, but that I was being detained until he could verify the prescription on my insulin and other medicine.

My mom showed up, all mad, and started yelling at the cop. She saw my insulin pump on the ground, picked it up, and asks why it was not attached to me. He said that it was for steroids. My mom pulled out her nursing credentials and said that insulin is a hormone, not a steroid, and that I need it or I could die. She called 9-1-1 to get an ambulance on the scene and to get a supervisor there to get me out of there.

Long story short, the supervisor showed up and made the cop give me back my pump. The ambulance showed up and I went with them because I was then bleeding where the port is.

I completely forgot to record this with my iPhone, but I will get the police reports and share those. I really would like to hear what the people on the website have to say, in case it happens to me again, or to anyone else – especially when it comes to medical devices like an insulin pump.

Thank you everyone for reading.
-Nisemono

Salt Lake City Cop Rips Out My Insulin Pump is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

A disturbing video shows Greece, NY Police officers arresting a young African-American teen, on Wednesday May 15, 2013, for no other reason other than him walking on a public sidewalk.

The video, recorded by a brave Greece Olympia High School student begins with a female Greece, NY Police officer telling an African-American teen to “Keep walking.”

A male GPD officer dressed in plain clothes, then yells at the young man “Keep walking! Keep walking or you’re going to jail!”

“I’m not doing nothing”, the young man is seen and heard telling the officer .

“You’re blocking the sidewalk!”, the officer yells.

The young man then tries to explain to the officer that he wasn’t blocking the sidewalk, and that if anything, the officer is the one who is walking towards him.

The angry Greece Police officer then says “Fuck it, you’re under arrest!”, and grabs the young man, twisting his arms, as bringing him down on the ground

The female Greece Police officer is then seen on the video yelling at the young man who is recording, “Keep walking!”

“I’m waiting for my friend”, the teen recording the video is heard saying.

“Your friend is going to jail!”, a plain clothes officer replies.

According to the teen who recorded the video, there was a fight at the high school, that did not involve the young teen who was arrested.

“They followed us off the property, and then the undercover officer came out of nowhere”, said the teen.

I will be updating this post soon.

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Greece, NY Police officer: “Fuck it, you’re under arrest!”, as he is Caught on Video Violating African-American Youth’s Civil Rights! is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

———-

The U.S. is in the middle of an upheaval when it comes to monitoring citizens’ online activities. Over the last few years, law enforcement agencies have been pushing for unprecedented powers of surveillance and access to your private online communications. While it’s true that surveillance laws need to be updated for the internet age, it’s clear law enforcement is simply using this opportunity to achieve its Holy Grail – the ability to spy on citizens without any judicial oversight.

Although it hasn’t yet been made law, we’ve already seen warrantless surveillance of online communications. The NSA wiretapping controversy saw the Bush administration collect web logs and emails, directly from Internet Service Providers, without any judicial oversight and largely in effort to silence critics of the government (instead of the stated aim of defeating terrorism) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSA_warrantless_surveillance_controversy). Rather than reverse this practice, the Obama adminstration instead sought to continue it under new FISA guidelines (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/us/01nsa.html?_r=0).

Not content with accessing information from ISPs, legislators introduced CISPA to make it easier for law enforcement to access your information from private companies (https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/04/cispa-passes-out-house-without-any-fixes-core-concerns). CISPA attempted to allow companies, such as Google and Facebook, to spy on users’ personal information and share data with not just the government, but anyone, without fear of legal repercussions. While CISPA passed the House convincingly, it was thankfully defeated due to a the threat of a veto by Obama. But the issue of online surveillance remains and another bill will undoubtedly be drafted to take CISPA’s place. Remember, unlike the data stored in your house, emails stored on a server are not protected by the Fourth Amendment (http://digitaldueprocess.org/index.cfm?objectid=37940370-2551-11DF-8E02000C296BA163).

On top of CISPA-esque legislation, the growing threat of a data retention bill in the US also looms large. Data retention is the practice of ISPs storing customers’ online data. This data includes every website you’ve visited, all your email logs, and your billing information. In Europe a ‘Data Retention Directive’ has been in place since 2006, forcing every ISP to retain online data for at least 1 year following cancellation of their service (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Retention_Directive). The US currently does not have a state-mandated data retention policy. But the Obama administration is clearly pushing for such a law (https://www.cdt.org/blogs/john-morris/doj-looking-mandatory-internet-data-retention-law?quicktabs_4=0). At the moment ISPs are free to set their own policies. As this article shows, some ISPs retain data for around a year, while others like AT&T refuse to even disclose how long they store your information (http://torrentfreak.com/how-long-does-your-isp-store-ip-address-logs-120629/).

Protecting your data

Make no mistake, abuse of power by law enforcement extends to the online world. But there are tools you can use to protect yourself. Here’s a quick rundown of the three most popular ways to keep your data private.

TOR (https://www.torproject.org/)

The Onion Router (TOR) is a free-to-use privacy platform, which obscures your IP address and lets your surf the web (almost) anonymously. The only problem with TOR is that you have to place some trust in the individuals running the exit nodes which help protect your IP address. Also because it’s free, TOR frequently suffers from slower connection speeds and is not suitable for downloading large files.

L2P (http://www.i2p2.de/index.html)

L2P is another free-to-use platform, which helps anonymise your data. L2P is generally considered harder to use than TOR, mainly because it’s less common and there’s less support for beginner users. However, L2P is well-suited to sharing files directly between users and arguably offers greater privacy than TOR.

Virtual Private Networks

Full disclosure: I work for the Virtual Private Network and privacy service IVPN (www.ivpn.net). Commercial VPNs offer a privacy service usually on a subscription pricing-model. There are loads of VPNs out there, but not all of them are genuine privacy services. Some retain customer data in exactly the same way as an ISP and are therefore compelled by law to hand over that data if requested. Before signing-up to a VPN make sure you check their data retention policy. The benefits of using a VPN over TOR is that they’re generally easier to set-up and offer faster speeds. You can find out more on choosing a VPN that protects your data right here (http://www.ivpn.net/blog/when-law-enforcement-knocks-on-a-vpns-door-what-happens) and here’s a great list of VPNs that take privacy seriously (http://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-that-take-your-anonymity-seriously-2013-edition-130302/).

Christopher Reynolds

The Growing Threat of Online Surveillance and How to Protect Yourself is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

Almost two years after she made international headlines, shortly after she was arrested by Rochester, NY Police officer Mario Masic for video recording him conducting a racially profiled traffic stop of an African-American motorist in front of her home, Emily Good will announce she is running for Monroe County, NY Sheriff.

Good will run on the Green Party ticket, in what is sure to be a tough battle to upset incumbent Republican Patrick O’Flynn who has been Monroe County Sheriff since 2001.

Among her top priorities if elected Sheriff, Good says she will refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or I.C.E.

“As Sheriff I would pledge non-cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement because I believe that we are a country of immigrants, we are a county of immigrants, and it is no place in our job to harass our neighbors and fellow workers, so I would not cooperate at all with I.C.E. as several Sheriffs throughout the country have done.”

Good also said she would call for mandatory video recording of all interrogations, as well as installation of dash cams in all Monroe County Sheriff’s vehicles.

“We know that police and sheriffs and law enforcement are legally allowed to lie… videotaping confessions and interrogations would help us keep an eye on potential abuse, manipulation, lying and false confession signing that happens”, said Good.

As for having dash cams installed in Monroe County Sheriff’s cruisers, Good sums it up best in one sentence.

“We’ve seen in many cases that dash cams can provide some accountability for our law enforcement, which we really need, here in Monroe County”, Good said.

Emily Good will hold a press conference, officially announcing her candidacy, Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Civic Center Plaza, between the Hall of Justice and the Public Safety building.

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Emily Good to Run for Monroe County, NY Sheriff is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

A Rochester, NY Police officer, driving ‘K9-3″ cruiser, left his partner “Hawk”, inside the hot Durango SUV for over an hour, on Monday, as he went to an appointment, inside an air conditioned doctor’s office, behind the Calkins Corporate Park office complex, off Red Creek Drive in Henrietta, NY, arriving at approximately 1:25 p.m., and leaving around 2:45 p.m.

Although the rear windows in the police SUV were down, leaving the cages to allow some air to flow in, and the front windows were rolled down a bit, the vehicle was parked under direct sunlight, with no shade whatsoever.

Patients and staff walking by the RPD SUV were startled when “Hawk”, a beautiful German Shepherd greeted them with loud barking

There are actually two disturbing stories here.

First, this officer’s behavior show yet another example of Rochester Police officers misusing taxpayer dollars, in this case, driving outside the RPD’s jurisdiction, to another town, for personal reasons.

Second, leaving an innocent dog in a hot vehicle, for over an hour, with no shade, albeit, windows down.

A call to dispatch confirmed RPD K9-3 unit was “on duty”, and the dispatcher said they had no knowledge the officer was out in Henrietta.

CALL ROCHESTER, NY POLICE CHIEF JAMES SHEPPARD (585) 428-7033

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Rochester, NY Taxpayer Dollars at Work: RPD officer Leaves his K-9 Partner “Hawk” in Hot Vehicle for over an Hour, While he goes to Doctor’s Appointment is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

That enables one to be more open to the idea that self-government is preferable to external government, and that it’s more realistic that a community free from violence will come not from the top-down provision of policing, which demands that a certain group of people have the “legal” right to initiate force, but from the bottom-up, when we each police ourselves and each other.

I certainly don’t believe a stranger operating on stolen money and claimed double standards can provide justice. For more on that angle check-out http://CopBlock.org/Library

Thanks to my bud James Cleaveland who put Remi on my radar.

For more videos like the above, check out 4409.

The video above is somewhat timely to myself as I recently learned “the City of Keene” (whom I have yet to meet in-person) has threatened suit in legal-land. A couple related-links:

http://Facebook.com/KeeneRobinHood

http://RobinHood.FreeKeene.com

http://KeeneCopBlock.org/RobinHood

[I'll have more related content out soon]

KEENE Petition for Injunctive Relief 2013-05-09 by CopBlock

KEENE Petition for Injunctive Relief ATTACHMENTS 2013-05-09 by CopBlock

Rémi GAILLARD vs POLICE is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

This week, a couple stories that should cause anyone critically thinking to see that those wearing badges aren’t always operating with the best intentions.

Story #1
Ex-Wellford Officer Accused of Abusing Vulnerable Adult
http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/22249261/sled-wellford-officer

A former Wellford, South Carolina police officer was arrested this past Tuesday by state agents after they said he sexually and physically abused a vulnerable adult.
The State Law Enforcement Division said between July 1, 2012 and Jan. 1, 2013, 32-year-old Bennie Hand sexually battered and physically abused the victim, who suffers from a mental condition impairing her from providing her own care or protecting herself.
During the abuse, SLED said Hand worked as a Wellford police officer.
Wellford Mayor Thomas Watson said the city received a complaint about the allegations made against Hand and called in SLED to investigate. He was placed on administrative leave when the investigation began and was fired following his arrest, Watson said.
Hand was arrested on charges of misconduct in office, criminal sexual conduct third degree and abuse of a vulnerable adult.
State agents were called in to investigate at the request of Wellford police and the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will prosecute the case.
Hand is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

Story #2
St. Paul to Settle $237,500 Excessive Force Lawsuit
http://www.startribune.com/local/207448291.html

In other news, the city of St. Paul is set to reach a $237,500 settlement, which taxpayers are forced to pay, with a Twin Cities man who says that St. Paul police officers used excessive force and caused significant injuries that sent him to the hospital when they arrested him several years ago.
James Newbill, who has since changed his name to Ras Yirehmiel Tafari, said he had been the victim of excessive force, battery and assault during a 2010 arrest. Tafari sued the two police officers along with the city originally seeking damages of more than $1 million.
The settlement agreement is expected to be approved at a City Council meeting Wednesday.
The two officers had been working in the narcotics/vice unit on August 17, 2010, when they came upon a suspected drug deal in a church parking lot near the State Capitol. According to the complaint, the officers rushed Tafari “without giving any commands or instructions,” and he ran to the front of the church.
As Tafari raised his hands, one officer used a Taser gun on him, causing him to fall to the steps, the complaint said. The other officer then kicked Tafari in the face, knocking him out.
Tafari was handcuffed and taken to Regions Hospital, where he spent three days in the intensive care unit. According to the complaint, his broken jaw needed wiring for nearly three months. Oral surgery was required to repair his teeth and cuts to his mouth. Tafari needed to wear a neck brace for nearly four months because of broken vertebrae.
Tafari eventually pleaded guilty to possession of a small amount of marijuana – a harmless plant.
In the settlement agreement, the city does not admit any wrongdoing or liability.
It is the third settlement having to do with police conduct that the city has agreed to this year.
How far will you let these public officials go before you speak out, or stop funding their violence?

Police Accountability Report: Episode 92 – LRN.fm is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

The North Hollywood Shootout of 1997 is often touted by police as the reason behind the militarization of their forces. In that incident police engaged two bank robbers heavily armed with military-grade machine guns, and armored from head to toe in military-grade bullet-resistant Kevlar. The robbers were eventually killed, and though several officers were injured, there were no other deaths. Nonetheless, this became a rallying point to arm not only SWAT teams and regular patrol officers with military-grade weaponry.

The militarization of police has not been limited to pistols and rifles. Some of this has been more subtle and psychological, such as new uniforms. Police have traditionally worn a blue uniform, usually with a tie, shined shoes, conveying a respectable and formal appearance. Today that trend has been broken, and police have donned military-style tactical apparel, in an intimidating black color. While one may not see this shift in styling as a major concern per se, it reflects the shift in the mindset of police, from public servant, to militant occupier. This is a shift wherein the police now no longer see a public to be served, but a public to be controlled.

This mindset of an undeclared guerrilla war being played out on the streets of America has led to extravagant spending by police departments on military-grade hardware. This is particularly true in the post-9/11 era, where the public has been duped out of freedoms and tax dollars under the guise of “protecting the homeland” from Muslim fanatics. This is despite the fact that an American citizen is 8 times more likely to be killed by a police officer than a terrorist.

In one instance, a man armed only with a golf-club was shot dead by police executing a search warrant targeting a woman they knew had already moved out of the home. They went ahead with the no-knock raid anyway, and shot this man dead in the process. (See video - Dead Bang: Man Shot Dead By Home Invaders).

While some view these types of situations as isolated incidents, incidents like this will happen more frequently as police try to justify their budgets for increased spending on everything from new cruisers every year to military-grade tanks and armored vehicles. In another instance, police stormed a neighborhood with snipers and a tank to evict old lady. It is not uncommon that police now frequently apply military-grade force is applied for mundane and run-of-the-mill police situations.

The Results of the SWAT Transparency Bill have been disturbing. The problem also goes beyond local police departments. Since 9/11, we now have the Department of Homeland Security, reminiscent of the Gestapo national police force. DHS is both a domestic spying apparatus, and a showcase for military hardware in civilian dress. It’s not just new agencies, or regular police departments that are getting paramilitary upgrades. Government agencies that should have nothing to do with law enforcement are increasingly armed. (More here - Why does the Department of Education need a SWAT team?)

In Boston, we saw our first widely publicized instance of martial law in the United States. Not only were the police and Federal agents fully-equipped with heavy military-grade equipment, they were acting in direct violation of the 4th Amendment. (More here - Families Ripped From Homes By Police In Watertown).

Some Americans were shocked by this vulgar display of paramilitary might. Sadly, there were many Americans who cheered the triumph of martial law, even in its failure to locate the suspect who purportedly justified this violent invasion. Thanks to propaganda and the lobotomy of social consciousness, all too many Americans would echo a, “If You’re Not a Terrorist…Prove It” type sentiment.

The lines blurred even further Monday as a new dynamic was introduced to the militarization of domestic law enforcement. By making a few subtle changes to a regulation in the U.S. Code titled “Defense Support of Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies,” the military has quietly granted itself the ability to police the streets without obtaining prior local or state consent, upending a precedent that has been in place for more than two centuries.

The most objectionable aspect of the regulatory change is the inclusion of vague language that permits military intervention in the event of “civil disturbances.” The rule provides that federal military commanders have the authority, in extraordinary emergency circumstances where prior authorization by the President is impossible and duly constituted local authorities are unable to control the situation, to engage temporarily in activities that are necessary to quell large-scale, unexpected civil disturbances.

Bruce Afran, a civil liberties attorney and constitutional law professor at Rutgers University, calls the rule, “a wanton power grab by the military,” and says, “It’s quite shocking actually because it violates the long-standing presumption that the military is under civilian control.”

A defense official who declined to be named takes a different view of the rule, claiming, “The authorization has been around over 100 years; it’s not a new authority. It’s been there but it hasn’t been exercised. This is a carryover of domestic policy.” Moreover, he insists the Pentagon doesn’t “want to get involved in civilian law enforcement. It’s one of those red lines that the military hasn’t signed up for.” Nevertheless, he says, “every person in the military swears an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States to defend that Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.”

Sadly enough, the “presumption” of the constitutional law professor is false, and the unnamed defense official is correct. The military is not under civilian control, and has not been for roughly 150 years. Specifically, the authorization is called General Orders No. 100: The Lieber Code,

…which reads in part…

“1. A place, district, or country occupied by an enemy stands, in consequence of the occupation, under the martial law of the invading or occupying army, whether any proclamation declaring martial law, or any public warning to the inhabitants, has been issued or not. Martial law is the immediate and direct effect and consequence of occupation or conquest.

The presence of a hostile army proclaims its martial law.

2. Martial law does not cease during the hostile occupation, except by special proclamation, ordered by the commander-in-chief, or by special mention in the treaty of peace concluding the war, when the occupation of a place or territory continues beyond the conclusion of peace as one of the conditions of the same.

3. Martial law in a hostile country consists in the suspension by the occupying military authority of the criminal and civil law, and of the domestic administration and government in the occupied place or territory, and in the substitution of military rule and force for the same, as well as in the dictation of general laws, as far as military necessity requires this suspension, substitution, or dictation.

The commander of the forces may proclaim that the administration of all civil and penal law shall continue either wholly or in part, as in times of peace, unless otherwise ordered by the military authority.”

The military is already prepared to start rounding up American citizens. (More here - New Military Transport Raises Concerns).The militarization of our local police forces is not simply a by-product of the times we live in. When you understand the real laws, when you understand history, you see that the local police are acting under the authority of the military, as a proxy.

Through revisionist history taught to us in classrooms and school books, the Civil War has been idealized as some great volcanic movement of freedom against racial oppressors. Even though it took another century after that for black folk to actually get civil rights, we are taught that the Civil War was all about liberating slaves.

They say that history is written by the victor, and the Civil War is no exception. The Civil War had nothing to do with freeing the slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation was a tactic of economic warfare against the rebellious Confederacy, it had nothing to do with equality for blacks.

“I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality.” -Abraham Lincoln, 1858

“My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it.” -Abraham Lincoln, 1862

So what was the Civil War really about then? The same thing that most rebellions are born of – a rejection of tyranny and oppression. In that instance, it was a confederation of states who rejected Federal authority over the sovereignty of independent states.

And from those days to this, the United States has existed, not as a Constitutional Republic, but under a declared state of martial law.

The preceding compilation contains excerpts from an article from Before It’s News.

Military Troops Patrol Grand Central Terminal After 9/11

Pentagon Updates Regulations For Open Military Dictatorship is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

Cotati residents – are you happy with this level of “service” provided?

Cotati Police Department
(707) 792-4611
http://www.ci.cotati.ca.us/sections/police

RAW VIDEO: http://liveleak.com/view?i=8ed_1368536550

Thanks to my bud, Keene-based activist Jason Repsher for putting this on my radar.

Cotati PD Employees Enter Home w/o Warrant & Tase Homeowners is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

These types of interactions with police have occurred millions of times. Thanks to the the surveillance camera in this case, and many times the risks assumed by folks like you and me holding a cellphone, we are starting to expose what we’ve been allowing these people to get away with for so long.

Please, always film police.

(Video) “I hurt people, and then I make their cocaine f—ing appear,” is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

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UPDATES WILL BE POSTED BELOW

These are three of the documents from the ROBIN HOOD of KEENE collection housed at Cop Block’s Scribd channel:

"If Ticketed" Flyer used by Robin Hood of Keene

KEENE Petition for Injunctive Relief 2013-05-09 by CopBlock

KEENE Petition for Injunctive Relief ATTACHMENTS 2013-05-09 by CopBlock

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SUPPORT ROBIN HOOD OF KEENE
.

• Bitcoin: 1PRPhRRoxekgLwgqXxBKGTJ9La5EwSXcJJ
• PayPal: robinhoodofkeene@gmail.com
• Snail Mail: Keene Activist Center, 75 Leverett Street, Keene, NH 03431
  .

CONNECT WITH ROBIN HOOD OF KEENE
.

• http://Facebook.com/KeeneRobinHood
• http://RobinHood.FreeKeene.com
• http://KeeneCopBlock.org/RobinHood
• http://Scribd.com/collections/Robin-Hood-of-Keene
  .
  

VIDEO SOURCES

.

• http://YouTube.com/Fr33ManTVRaw
• http://YouTube.com/CopBlockRaw
• http://YouTube.com/AquaKeene
• http://YouTube.com/RidleyReport
• http://YouTube.com/PeaceNewsNow

.

KNOWN MEDIA
.

[last updated 2013.05.18]

ABC News, The Union Leader, Huffington Post, Seacoastonline.com, New York Daily News, UPI.com, WCVB Boston, My Fox Boston, CBS Local, Free Keene1, FreeKeene2, Washington Times1, Washington Times2, The Atlantic Cities, Reuters, NBCNews.com, MSN News, ABC 57 News,  Daily Mail, WHDH-TV, The Epoch Times, Irish Independent, NBC2 News, KDVR.com, Examiner.com, KFYI, Business Insurance, Death and Taxes, Pakistan Daily Times, The Times, Newstalk, New Hampshire Public Radio, Justice News Flash, FoxReno.com, ABA Journal, Kansas Watchdog, msnNOW, Great Mountain Outlook

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Robin Hood of Keene Targeted by the King’s Agents is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

From Video Description

4409 on twitter: https://twitter.com/tweet4409
4409 Store: https://wepay.com/stores/4409-store

AZ: 13-2904 a 1 Disorderly conduct; classification

TX: TITLE 9 CHAPTER 42 Sec. 42.01.

CAL. PEN. CODE § 647 : California Code – Section 647

New York Penal – Article 240 – § 240.20 Disorderly Conduct

Title 2C The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice – 2C:33-2 Disorderly conduct

Julio case: http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/…

FROM 4409: How to fight a DISORDERLY CONDUCT Charge is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

Out of despair a message has risen which is, ‘No Justice No Peace!’  - inspired by the recent police brutality in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the anthem for many individuals who have died or have been beaten at the hands of a police officer. If you know anyone, or if you have been a victim of excessive force, or know someone who has been murdered or beaten, please share this video. This video will also be shared with police stations in all 50 states. Let’s spread the message around the globe! Together, we will end brutality! #NoJusticeNoPeace

Feel free to visit our site for more information on the two artists featured in the video, or you can visit www.mauricebailey.info for information on Maurice Bailey.

This article was recently published by the former Omaha Police Auditor, which mentions “No Justice, No Peace!”

“No Justice, No Peace!” — For police brutality victims! is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

By Davy V.

At least a half a dozen family members of Rochester elementary school children attending the annual Nick Zona Track Meet at East High School on Thursday May 16th, walked back to their cars to find  parking tickets under their windshield wipers.

Now, it would be hypocritical of me to in any way, shape or form condone parking illegally, especially since I regularly expose law enforcement officials parked illegally.

However, it was more the show of force, on behalf of Rochester Police officers who obviously had nothing better to do in a city riddled with real crime, than to ticket cars of family members attending their children’s field day, that just rubs me the wrong way.

The event, is named after the late Nick Zona, the former Health and Physical Education Director for the City School District.

The track meet helps students learn the importance of hard work, cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Approximately 25-30 cars parked on Culver Rd., right in front of the East High School grandstand, and family members were already sitting down in the stands, when an announcement came over the PA system telling people that they had to move their vehicles, and find parking elsewhere.

Rochester, NY Police officer and parking enforcement employee harassing elementary school children’s family members.Photo by Davy V.

This caused dozens of people to hurry and move their vehicles, and rush back in order not to miss their children’s participation in the track meet.

A woman at Jeffrey Ellis Carl Cabinetmakers, located on the corner of Culver Rd. and Leighton Ave., and directly across the street from the East High School bleacher stands, called 911 to report that several vehicles were parked on the wrong side of Leighton Ave.

Interestingly enough, the photo at the top right, shows the classic example of ‘Do as I say, not as I do’, a Rochester, NY Police cruiser, and a City of Rochester, NY Parking Enforcement vehicle can be seen parked on the same side of the street as the cars they ticketed!

This could all have been avoided, if the Rochester City School District had planned in advance, to accommodate family members, being able to park their vehicles, without being ticketed.

Rochester, NY Police officer in cruiser E-51has nothing better to do, than to harass family membersattending children’s track meet.Photo by Davy V.

“This is the first time in four years that I have gotten this information, this is supposed to be a positive event”, said Carlos Cotto, Rochester City School District executive director of health, physical education, and athletics.

“There should have been announcements before people parked, so they wouldn’t have had to move their cars after they had already settled in”, Cotto said to me, before adding, “I put a call in to Chief Sheppard, because he has always been supportive of this event.”

“Supportive”?

How sad that the Rochester, NY Police department, would show up in force like they did, to an event named in honor of a School district employee, and all for parking violations.

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara

Rochester, NY Police Department and City Parking Enforcement Show Up in Full Force to Ticket Elementary School Children’s Family Members at Track Meet! is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

Not “buckling up for safety” can get you killed all right – by a cop.

That’s what happened to Deland, Florida resident Marlon Brown about a week ago. Brown was killed – run over – by Deland Police Officer James Harris, who pursued him with his squad car after Brown tried to run away on foot after being stopped over a seatbelt violation (see here).

Brown, a popular neighborhood barber, hadn’t done anything to anyone. His “crime” was to have asserted self-ownership, which in a slave society is the gravest offense. He probably thought to himself – I am a grown man. No one has any more right to demand I wear a seatbelt than they have a right to insist I eat my veggies or wear a sweater because it’s cold out. Whether eating veggies or wearing a sweater on a cold day – or “buckling up for safety” – is a good idea or a bad idea is  no one else’s business. Certainly not a cop’s. Aren’t cops supposed to fight crime? When did the job of a cop become parenting or life-coaching at gunpoint? Who the hell are these people to point guns at me over my decision to not “buckle up”?

Brown likely had such thoughts as he saw the wig-wag lights of Officer Harris in his rear view. Then, he probably got mad. I know I would have. You are driving along, minding your business, causing no harm to anyone. Then you glance up and see the bright lights – and the buzz-cut head – of Officer Unfriendly. This costumed menace is about to threaten you with violence and – at minimum – shove a piece of paper in your face that will demand what amounts to a ransom payment, or else (“else” being jail).

And so, Brown attempted to flee. It ended up costing him his life.

Officer safety was never at issue. Brown merely tried to get away from an obnoxious costumed thug who had no business bothering him in the first place. But that was sufficient to justify summary execution by motor vehicle.

It is not an isolated happenstance anymore. Hardly a week goes by without some godawful report of a citizen being killed by cops over absolutely nothing. A murder – and that’s exactly what this was – prefaced by some petty affront to the authority of someone in a state-issued costume. Talk back, dare to question – and the Tazers come out. Attempt to ward off the blows – and you will hear “Stop Resisting!” as the blows continue to rain down. They may or may not stop at merely a beating, or a kicked-in skull.

Marlon Brown learned just how far it can go. A witness to the event, Sabrina Waldron, stated, “After the car hit Marlon and landed on him the back end of it was up in the air.” Thus ended Brown’s life.

Was it worth it? Was it right? A man is dead – for no reason. Or rather, for a very bad reason.

In a sane society, Officer Harris would have had no legal pretext for bothering Marlon Brown. He may have looked askance at him for electing to not wear his seat belt – just as I may look askance at a grossly obese person ordering a double cheeseburger and 64 ounce Coke – but insofar as Officer Harris’ legal authority was concerned, he (in a sane society) would be powerless to intervene. That’s how it ought to be. For the same reason, most of us (dear god, let us hope) do not want costumed men with guns rousting us out of bed to go for morning jogs or to supervise our dinner menus, threatening us with nightsticks and Tazers and guns if we don’t abide by their “recommendations.”

That is where we are headed if people do not come to their senses, and learn to discipline their inner busybody – if only for their own sake. Because most definitely, what goes around will come around. You may find it appalling that some people choose to go unbuckled. Resist the desire to insist they do so. Because if you do insist, you’ve just given license to the inner busybodies of all those people out there – among whom, no doubt, there will be busybodies who just can’t abide something about the way you live your life, whether it be some “risky” hobby, or some “unhealthy” habit. No small corner of what used to be your life will be left to you. You will be chained to a collective and compelled to Submit & Obey.

The antidote to this horror is self-ownership. You own you. I own me. Neither of us has any claim on the other that’s enforceable at gunpoint. Feel free to suggest or to recommend, but when it comes to the use of force, the one and only legitimate justification is self-defense. Otherwise, leave me alone – and I will leave you alone.

If that had been the law in Deland, Florida, Marlon Brown would still be alive.

And James Harris would not be a murderer.

Read the original post here.

Seatbelt Laws Can Be Deadly is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights