Cop Mini-Drama: St. Louis Anonymous Protest - March 12, 2011

For the first time since Ace's arrest in June 2009, we tried protesting on the same side of the street as the org. We hadn't been there long before they called for an off-duty cop to come keep an eye on us (as we walked back and forth holding signs).

Several Scientologists in a row came out to talk with the cop. Following a conversation with a second cop who arrived, he asked us to go across the street "as a personal favor". He acknowledged we weren't violating ordinance, nor impeding traffic for parishioners as they were complaining, but said it would make his job easier if we just went across the street. A third cop arrived (apparently a supervisor). Another conversation, and the original cop told us to go across or he'd arrest us.

From "personal favor" to "I'll cuff you" in less than 5 minutes. The laws must have changed while they were talking.

Other highlights from the day were some union laborers for Missouri American Water holding a rally of their own; Ex-Scientologist Jim Little and his daughter coming to meet us (view their blog littledoubt.wordpress.com, and see the linked video); and a random puppy that we named Scrappy.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• St. Louis
• Missouri
• March 12
• 2011
• Anonymous
• Scientology
• raid
• cops
• protest
• Local 335
• American Water
• sea org
• St. Patrick's Day
• LRH
• Jim Little
• littledoubt

[b1p0l4rt]

Good work; don't piss off the cops. We need them. Can you get away with pacing on either side of the org? Perhaps staying away from their precious steps would work. If not, stay across the street. They still know you're there!

[ThetanBait]

@b1p0l4rt It's a fine line to tread. I have no desire to piss off the cops. However, I felt that if we moved across the street in response to a complaint that we were "impeding the traffic of parishioners", it would be an implicit admission of guilt, as were not doing so.

The University City cops have enough on their plate as it is, so shouldn't have to devote resources to this non-issue.

[AnonOrange]

I wouldn't call that a "favor"!

BTW, what ever happened to AnonAce? He got arrested at the same place about two years ago for essentially the same thing.

Please go to your local city council or county Board of Supervisors. Make a speech about this.

We absolutely CANNOT let scientology win such situations.

[ThetanBait]

@AnonOrange As I recall, Ace was released without charges after being held for 19 hours, and then got a bit of a run-around when inquiring about his arrest and why they surfed his laptop.

We're contacting Ace about this latest incident.

[RadioPaul1]

That is why you don't turn the camera off. Time to file a complaint with internal affairs. Ask for the officer to be retrained.

[ThetanBait]

@RadioPaul1 It's the second time I've been told to turn off the cam. I'll have to research what the state and local laws are regarding this (I know some states restrict filming police).

But yes, we will definitely be pursuing this.

[anonprkour]

what if you call the cops ahead of time and tell them when you are going to be there and what you will be doing then when the scilons call the cops will be annoyed with them and not you.

[jibety66]

‎"Citizens may resist unlawful arrest even to the point of taking an arresting officer's life if necessary.” Plummer v. State, 136 Ind. 306.

also im pretty sure the sidewalk is public property

[cyberbrian5]

@ThetanBait There is a constitutional right to film from public property, including police officers, provided you are not interfering with police action (i.e. standing 2ft away from the arrest of a violent individual). Search for the "photography is not a crime" blog to learn your rights. And keep your camera rolling next time!

[AgentxAnonymous]

Those cops are scummy lazy fucks who don't give a damn about justice.

[ShowMeNoHate]

Contact the ACLU of Eastern Missouri. Next time go there with a legal witness who will be unmasked and not participate in the protest. We do this at the Catholic Churches we protest. In fact, the next time you go contact me. I will be your legal witness. ShowMeNoHate at g mail dot com.

[MsBLiP]

Officer Bubble's little brother . . .

[liekmudkip]

there were times you had some epic boobage with you st louis :-D

[mollie2810]

So people do have a right to protest but $ciloons just can't stand that, huh? Shows their respect for the law. Nice protest, guys.

[StrongStrength]

Wow, looks like you guys got majorly jobbed by the police... even if there is some sort of law preventing you from being on the sidewalk of their side of the street (which I doubt, given that someone got arrested for that back in '09 and it never amounted to anything), there is no good reason why the the police's story should change from "do me a favor" to "leave or cuffs" like that.

[b1p0l4rt]

@ThetanBait We were faced with the same situation.  We complained as well; and, for a minute, we felt we had admitted guilt. Then Xenu took over, and we decided that protesting was a win; we shall NOT be dismissed! We still stay across the street, but they hate that they can't make us give up. LULZY. Either way, you guys handled the situation like champs - Noice!