Don't be dancing at the monuments..or else..

[hambirg]

I can see both sides of this. The rules for memorials are probably uniform, maybe they shouldn't be, but I think they probably are. Some of the memorials, Vietnam, Korea, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Iwo Jima, maybe the only place a family member has to go to remember a family member who is missing and presumed dead. They're places that deserve our respect, and outlawing protests without permits makes sense to me. On the other hand, I think the way they went about handling the incident that was video taped was wrong.

There is a time and place fo everything and dancing inside a monument in DC is not the place

I just watched a youtube video and these guys were just being idiots and egging the cops on.

Damn, I hope neither one of you are being serious!!!! I have been to the memorials. . .I think I actually cried at the tomb of the unknown soldier. . .but Jefferson? REALLY? He fathered children with the household staff. . .not unlike Arnold who we all just recently bashed for being a dog and a cheater! I've also been to Dachau. . .a very somber place. . .my children's grossoma's (grandma's) brother was a 6'4" blonde haired, blue eyed pastry chef who was stationed there. He was SS and refused his orders. He was immediately shipped off to the Russian front where he was dead within the week. Btw. . he was also gay. If somebody wanted to celebrate at Dachau, I would be cheering them on. We all express ourselves in different ways. I don't think it's disrespectful. . .it's a celebration of life! I guess I just don't understand people. Never mind even that. . .just the fact that this is supposedly a free country and people have the right to protest, celebrate, etc any way they damn well see fit! I think this is absurd! Dancing. .. .really dancing people???!!!!

I just wanted to highlight this again. . .because I don't think it can be said enough!!!!

If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so. – Thomas Jefferson.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

If ya can't bust a move in front of an old, moldy president...where can ya bust a move

tag fairy worthy right there.

 

[Hoodie]

Honestly, this is the most ridiculous thing.

This stems because 3 years ago a group attempted a flash mob at the Jefferson. Park Police dispersed them, but one woman refused to go and got hit with a misdemeanor charge of failing to follow police instructions.

She's been fighting it and has lost twice. This latest event was staged as a protest, with the intent of getting good video for you tube. That's why you see the dancers egging on the police. They wanted arrests - not just the police shooing them away. That wouldn't make good video.

 

[robinb]

Honestly, this is the most ridiculous thing.

This stems because 3 years ago a group attempted a flash mob at the Jefferson. Park Police dispersed them, but one woman refused to go and got hit with a misdemeanor charge of failing to follow police instructions.

She's been fighting it and has lost twice. This latest event was staged as a protest, with the intent of getting good video for you tube. That's why you see the dancers egging on the police. They wanted arrests - not just the police shooing them away. That wouldn't make good video.

Yes, it is totally ridiculous. In fact, "ridiculous" is an understatement. Did you actually see the video? The Park Police threaten to arrest people for dancing but can't say exactly what those people will be guilty of. Just that he can arrest them and hold them for the entire weekend. The first two people were arrested for old fashioned high school slow dancing and kissing. After that others begin dancing on their own. The police proceed to arrest them and handcuff them. They throw some of the people to the ground and grab another person by the throat. NONE of those people were resisting arrest. One of the guys who was thrown to the ground was completely complying with the order to put his hands behind his back. Another man had his hands in the air when he was thrown to the ground. Did the dancers "egg them on"? Sure. But the police took the bait hook, line and sinker and are now poster boys for police brutality and excessive force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOTXE6x2F30

 

[Hoodie]

Yes, it is totally ridiculous. In fact, "ridiculous" is an understatement. Did you actually see the video? The Park Police threaten to arrest people for dancing but can't say exactly what those people will be guilty of. Just that he can arrest them and hold them for the entire weekend. The first two people were arrested for old fashioned high school slow dancing and kissing. After that others begin dancing on their own. The police proceed to arrest them and handcuff them. They throw some of the people to the ground and grab another person by the throat. NONE of those people were resisting arrest. One of the guys who was thrown to the ground was completely complying with the order to put his hands behind his back. Another man had his hands in the air when he was thrown to the ground. Did the dancers "egg them on"? Sure. But the police took the bait hook, line and sinker and are now poster boys for police brutality and excessive force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOTXE6x2F30

I did - and can you say "staged?"

Again - arrests and video were the point, not dancing. Yes, the cops fell for it, but "police brutality and excessive force?" puh-lease.

These people were told exactly what would happen.

Personally, I've seen lots of behavior that made me want to push the offenders into the Tidal Basin.

BTW - if you'd like, they plan on pulling this stunt again this weekend.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I say we petition Michelle Obama to get her local school kids on over to the Jefferson Memorial and Dougie!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I say we petition Michelle Obama to get her local school kids on over to the Jefferson Memorial and Dougie!

First Lady Flash Mob/Dance would rock! Where the petition for me to sign?

 

[Heidict]

You mean you can't dance at our national memorials which glorify our freedoms? How ironic.

I know, isn't it? Our tax dollars, hard at work.

 

[robinb]

I did - and can you say "staged?"

Again - arrests and video were the point, not dancing. Yes, the cops fell for it, but "police brutality and excessive force?" puh-lease.

These people were told exactly what would happen.

Personally, I've seen lots of behavior that made me want to push the offenders into the Tidal Basin.

BTW - if you'd like, they plan on pulling this stunt again this weekend.

They were told they would be arrested. They were not told that they would be thrown to the ground, body slammed and choked. it isn't just me who thinks that the police went overboard. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser told the Associated Press Monday that the Park Police chief had directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to conduct an investigation into the officers' conduct.

One more thing ... if their behavior would make you want to throw them into the Tidal Basin, then thank goodness you are not in a position of authority because you obviously don't have the temperament for it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I finally just took a quick look at this.
I have not searched thru any additional info...

But, IMHO, clearly, this is a case of some idiots, being purposefully disrespectful and confrontational... They knew the regulations.... They could have done their little 'thing' right outside... Just like those who have to picket right outside the gates of the White House itself.... Their one purpose seemed to be complete idiots and seek their 15 minutes of fame...

Police Brutality??? Ummm, yeah right...
I don't know whether to post a at that, or just
I would buy that if even one of these guys could provide medial evidence of bruises or marks.

I kind of see this as a prime example of the pervasive entitlement and all-about-me mentality that we see so much of.... "It's mine, I can do whatever I want..."

Sorry, but it's mine TOO, and I feel that the policies in place at these treasured and historic monuments are completely reasonable.

Last year we took my son to Historic Williamsburg and DC... He saw the Palace, which then became the government seat of the huge state of Virginia, and the actual chair that Thomas Jefferson actually sat in. We saw the guy who does an incredible presentation, recreation of Thomas Jefferson.. as he was during his later years... (he is unbelieveable, this IS his lifes work, he does this on tour....) We took him to see the actual Declaration of Independence in DC... (we homeschool)

Running into fools like these guys was just not something that we needed to have on our agenda, right there inside the Jefferson Memorial.

 

[agnes!]

If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so. – Thomas Jefferson.

Said by the man who died owning at least 200 slaves...

agnes!

 

[Planogirl]

I think that both sides are acting silly. The police are within their rights to arrest people but shouldn't be so forceful. On the other hand, protesting this dancing bit seems childish and pointless.

 

[jrmasm]

I think that both sides are acting silly. The police are within their rights to arrest people but shouldn't be so forceful. On the other hand, protesting this dancing bit seems childish and pointless.

I agree.

 

[Hoodie]

They were told they would be arrested. They were not told that they would be thrown to the ground, body slammed and choked. it isn't just me who thinks that the police went overboard. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser told the Associated Press Monday that the Park Police chief had directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to conduct an investigation into the officers' conduct.

One more thing ... if their behavior would make you want to throw them into the Tidal Basin, then thank goodness you are not in a position of authority because you obviously don't have the temperament for it.

These "dancers" are pretty well known protestors. This isn't a random "flash mob" these are basically professional protestors that are pretty well known in DC - well known for some of their protests getting violent, particularly against the police. The guy thrown to the ground is Adam Kokesh, who taped it for his show on Russia Today, which is basically sponsored by the Russian government as propaganda. He's pretty much been arrested all over DC.

Again - this is being portrayed as an innocent group protesting a legal decision. It really isn't the case. 100% of it has been staged so that the video could go viral.

 

[robinb]

These "dancers" are pretty well known protestors. This isn't a random "flash mob" these are basically professional protestors that are pretty well known in DC - well known for some of their protests getting violent, particularly against the police. The guy thrown to the ground is Adam Kokesh, who taped it for his show on Russia Today, which is basically sponsored by the Russian government as propaganda. He's pretty much been arrested all over DC.

Again - this is being portrayed as an innocent group protesting a legal decision. It really isn't the case. 100% of it has been staged so that the video could go viral.

If that is the case, that makes the police even stupider for throwing him to the ground. If they were aware of who he was, then they shouldn't be walking into his trap to arrest and rough him up. Now he's likely to walk away with monetary damages. Perhaps the DC police should take a page out of the police who deal with those Phelps losers who protest at funerals and deal with him professionally instead of throwing him to the ground when he has his hands up in the air.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I think that both sides are acting silly. The police are within their rights to arrest people but shouldn't be so forceful. On the other hand, protesting this dancing bit seems childish and pointless.

There are some good sized, active and in motion, males, knowingly and actively disobeying the law and police orders...

Officer: "Excuse me sir, would you care to accompany me to my squad car...."

 

[starstruck93]

DId they have a sign at the monument that said : You can't drop it like it's hot here? party poopers.

: Oh gawd... peed my pants!

 

[Wishing on a star]

edited:

On second thought... I'll just retract what I posted.
Don't need to be a thread-killer.

And, would not be a big surprise if something I posted, being 'expressive' came across as a little 'sharp' to many.

Carry on!