Just came across Congressman McGovern’s latest Facebook status. He was to be protesting in front of the Sudanese embassy against the humanitarian current crisis in Sudan. McGovern, George Clooney, Nick Clooney (George’s father) and Martin Luther King III have been arrested by the Secret Service. It seems as if the major charge is trespassing. The protest took up the embassy lawn; the Secret Service told them to leave. They did not and have been arrested.
More details from the Washington Post.
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Nice discussion of HR 347 and the criminalization of free speech
Anyway – a play could come out of the dialogue in a jail cell holding MLK III, Congressman McGovern, George Clooney, the head of the NAACP, etc. The video shows them zip tied and the article talks about “police vans” as in paddy wagons. Since when was public free speech arrestable?
As I understand it, the protesters were on private property and refused to leave, and hence were arrested. Hasn’t this been grounds for arrest since at least the Viet Nam protest era?
It seems to me that the protesters intended to be arrested (to make a public statement), and the police accommodated them. It certainly helps make the case, and I admire their courage — but I don’t see this as a “public free speech” issue.
What have I missed?
In the Congressmen’s performance review I have to give a zero under “Ability to prioritize work.”
Really. These guys have nothing better to do than protest Sudan when this country (which they might have some say in) goes to hell in a hand basket. Sudan, which has had a humanitarian crisis forever, is their priority.
Humbug.
I just hope that this isn’t about humanitarianism, but rather the kickoff for another oil war for the CIA. The first stirring of the pot of public opinion. At least we could give the Congressmen credit for being stooges for the CIA. (5 for ability to follow direction.)
As for the Hollywood people, well they’re Hollywood people.
“That’s what show business is, sincere insincerity.” –Benny Hill