Free speech, now illegal without a permit, so sayeth the cops.
Protesters at the Denver airport over the weekend were told by police that it was illegal to exercise “free speech without a permit.”
Denverite reported that over 200 people gathered at the Denver International Airport on Friday to protest President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel from seven majority-Muslim countries.
In video posted to YouTube, Police Commander Tony Lopez can be seen advising demonstrators that they are in violation of the law.
“Stop doing anything that could be construed as free speech without a permit,” he explains.
I expect this glurge of nonsense just spilled out without thought, but still, it points to the ongoing lashing of the whip aimed at all those who protest. Of the 200 protesters in Washington who were hit with felony charges, one case has been dropped. The others are facing prison a/o outrageous fines of $25,000 dollars. Land of the Free. Right.
Via Raw Story.
Marcus Ranum says
“Stop doing anything that could be construed as free speech without a permit,”
Speaking of nazis that needed to be punched in the face.
blf says
Unfortunately, that one has a gun, a large armed goon squad in the vicinity, and an ability to get “backup” (which could very well include armoured vehicles). It would not a battle of Cable Street so much as a Ludlow Massacre (Woody Guthrie’s song of that name as sung by Dick Gaughan).
rietpluim says
OMFG This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so serious. And this comes from a guy who swore… what exactly? The Führereid?
johnson catman says
I would have thought that The Constitution was that permit. I guess I thought wrong.
Caine says
Johnson catman, as noted in the article, he mentioned the constitution, too:
AndrewD says
Can I quote Joe Strummer again?
Caine says
AndrewD, sure.
AndrewD says
I am not sure what just happened but I was going to add, “You have the right to free speech…unless you are dumb enough to actually try it” Know you rights -- The Clash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e004RHFIxLg
Siobhan says
I’m not gonna lie, this sounds like something the British would make as a parody of fascists.
“Are we the baddies?”
chigau (ever-elliptical) says
Is Donald’s impoverished vocabulary trickling down?
Surely Officer Friendly up there meant that they can’t hold a free-speech rally without a permit.
chigau (ever-elliptical) says
Does Lopez know what a “Constitution” is?
blf says
I have not been able to find any independent explanation of what happened, or if the video — which lacks a lot of context — is even legit. The handful of sites which report the incident are all based on that one video… all of which is a minorly worrying. However, at the original video there is now a link to the video providing some context.
Incidentally, Police Commander Tony Lopez Sr, the guy in the video, has a son of the same name, Tony Lopez Jr, on the force. Junior was shot some time ago and survived.
Giliell, professional cynic -Ilk- says
Silly me always thought that the “free” in “free speech” meant something like you’re allowed to do it…
johnson catman says
Caine @5:
Yes, I saw that. I cannot even believe he could say that without exploding into flames due to “pants-on-fire” lying. I guess he should be arresting all those republicans who carry a pocket constitution.