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TBR RADIO: July 4th Free Speech Zones-Repression of Freedom in St. Pete, FL
Report on the police harassment and repression of Free Speech in St. Pete Fl, as we clebrated Democracy and Freedom.
Listen now:
7/4/06
By Jay Shaft-Coalition For Free Thought In Media
(St. Petersburg, FL) Today I witnessed members of Veterans For Peace, Suncoast Peace Education Group, and St. Pete For Peace being harassed by the police. I witnessed Veterans and activists having their Free Speech rights repressed and threatend by police who had no legal right to do so.
The following radio show contains interviews and reports from activists and educators involved with the groups They were all gathered for an educational and awareness vigil, and it was stated several times that they were not there to protest, but only to educate and raise awareness. While no one was arrested and there were no major incidents, the general air of harassment and police presence was a palpable throughout the day.
The police told them they had to leave their picnic and gather in a roped off Free Speech Zone that had been set up as far away from the crowds as possible. The roped off zone was approximately 15 by 20 feet in area, and was labelled only as Free Speech, indicated by a hand drawn cardboard sign affixed to a stake.
I attempted to get interviews or statements from the police and was refused with no explanation or information given about what ordnance or law was being enforced or that had been violated. No one would officially tell me why there was a Free Speech Zone being enforced on the day when we all celebrate our freedom and democracy. I find it ironic that Free Speech is trampled and taken away when it offends someone’s ideals or beliefs.
It appears that Free Speech is only protected and valued when it does not offend anyone or cause people to question the current party line and official press statements of the Bush administration.
Please listen to the radio show for a full report on today’s activities and incidents.
For reports on other incidents of police harassment and repression of Free Speech in St. Petersburg FL and Pinellas County click on the flowing links.
16 Year Old Anti-War Protester Arrested In Palm Harbor, Florida
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=SHA20051025&articleId=1147
Despite arrests, protests go on
http://sptimes.com/2005/08/08/Tampabay/Despite_arrests__prot.shtml
Rogue Behavior by Pinellas County Sheriff's Department at St. Pete for Peace Banner Holding
http://stpeteforpeace.org/rogue.sheriff.html
To contact groups who have been harassed, or for more information on the specific incidents:
Sun Coast Peace Education Group at http://www.scpeg.org
Tampa Bay VFP Chapter 119 through http://www.vfp.org
St. Pete For Peace at http://www.stpeteforpeace.org
Contact Jay Shaft and Coalition For Free Thought In Media at coalitionforfreethoughtinmedia [at] yahoo.com
By Jay Shaft-Coalition For Free Thought In Media
(St. Petersburg, FL) Today I witnessed members of Veterans For Peace, Suncoast Peace Education Group, and St. Pete For Peace being harassed by the police. I witnessed Veterans and activists having their Free Speech rights repressed and threatend by police who had no legal right to do so.
The following radio show contains interviews and reports from activists and educators involved with the groups They were all gathered for an educational and awareness vigil, and it was stated several times that they were not there to protest, but only to educate and raise awareness. While no one was arrested and there were no major incidents, the general air of harassment and police presence was a palpable throughout the day.
The police told them they had to leave their picnic and gather in a roped off Free Speech Zone that had been set up as far away from the crowds as possible. The roped off zone was approximately 15 by 20 feet in area, and was labelled only as Free Speech, indicated by a hand drawn cardboard sign affixed to a stake.
I attempted to get interviews or statements from the police and was refused with no explanation or information given about what ordnance or law was being enforced or that had been violated. No one would officially tell me why there was a Free Speech Zone being enforced on the day when we all celebrate our freedom and democracy. I find it ironic that Free Speech is trampled and taken away when it offends someone’s ideals or beliefs.
It appears that Free Speech is only protected and valued when it does not offend anyone or cause people to question the current party line and official press statements of the Bush administration.
Please listen to the radio show for a full report on today’s activities and incidents.
For reports on other incidents of police harassment and repression of Free Speech in St. Petersburg FL and Pinellas County click on the flowing links.
16 Year Old Anti-War Protester Arrested In Palm Harbor, Florida
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=SHA20051025&articleId=1147
Despite arrests, protests go on
http://sptimes.com/2005/08/08/Tampabay/Despite_arrests__prot.shtml
Rogue Behavior by Pinellas County Sheriff's Department at St. Pete for Peace Banner Holding
http://stpeteforpeace.org/rogue.sheriff.html
To contact groups who have been harassed, or for more information on the specific incidents:
Sun Coast Peace Education Group at http://www.scpeg.org
Tampa Bay VFP Chapter 119 through http://www.vfp.org
St. Pete For Peace at http://www.stpeteforpeace.org
Contact Jay Shaft and Coalition For Free Thought In Media at coalitionforfreethoughtinmedia [at] yahoo.com
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