Pro-lifers Arrested! My Friends Were All Arrested For Doing Pro-l

[TeresaBenedicta]

[url="http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/comments/washington_dc_area_pro_life_face_the_truh_tour_participants_arrested/"]http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/c...pants_arrested/[/url]

I don't think this has hit the news yet. I just found this particular entry about it, aftering having gotten off the phone with my best friend from school. She is a core team member of the "Face the Truth" tour and she, along with 17 other individuals were arrested yesterday evening. They had been at a certain location and an officer had come up to them, demanding that they leave. When they asked which laws they were breaking, the officer refused to tell them. He said, "It doesn't matter what the law says, it matters what I say the law says." (They have a video tape of all of this.) So, deciding that they'd rather not be a nuissance and push the issue, they packed up to go to a different location in a different city.

The officer followed them, and once they had set up, he came and arrested my friend. He said nothing except for "Turn around, you're under arrest." When she asked why she was under arrest and what her rights were, he ignored her. Then they arrested everyone who was there. It took all night for them to be processed. They were all relased by around 9:30am-- some on bail (out of staters), others just released.

About four of my friends were arrested and they have three criminal charges against them, which if prosecuted and convicted, they could spend around 10 months in jail. I don't think the charges will go through, especially because these were unlawful arrests but... please pray for my friends, that their suffering may avail to some good. This is scary times for all of us.

[kujo]

Wow!

I wouldn't worry. If they have all of this on tape, including the violation of their Miranda rights, the charges will be dropped. It wouldn't take a lawyer...heck, I could represent them with my pre-law experience.

I'll pray though. Try to stay positive.

[Vincent Vega]

That's funny...I always thought Washington, D.C was in the USA, not Nazi Germany. How about that.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='kujo' post='1616204' date='Aug 2 2008, 10:54 PM']Wow!

I wouldn't worry. If they have all of this on tape, including the violation of their Miranda rights, the charges will be dropped. It wouldn't take a lawyer...heck, I could represent them with my pre-law experience.

I'll pray though. Try to stay positive.[/quote]

It would be crazy if the charges weren't dropped.

It's hard for me not to say, "Wow, that's so cool!" to my friends, because this is so clearly a case of persecution for the sake of Christ. But it is still scary for my friends, and we are unsure of where God is taking this. What the outcome will be and the like.

[Farsight one]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1616195' date='Aug 2 2008, 09:41 PM'][url="http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/comments/washington_dc_area_pro_life_face_the_trutour_participants_arrested/"]http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/c...pants_arrested/[/url]

I don't think this has hit the news yet. I just found this particular entry about it, aftering having gotten off the phone with my best friend from school. She is a core team member of the "Face the Truth" tour and she, along with 17 other individuals were arrested yesterday evening. They had been at a certain location and an officer had come up to them, demanding that they leave. When they asked which laws they were breaking, the officer refused to tell them. He said, "It doesn't matter what the law says, it matters what I say the law says." (They have a video tape of all of this.) So, deciding that they'd rather not be a nuissance and push the issue, they packed up to go to a different location in a different city.

The officer followed them, and once they had set up, he came and arrested my friend. He said nothing except for "Turn around, you're under arrest." When she asked why she was under arrest and what her rights were, he ignored her. Then they arrested everyone who was there. It took all night for them to be processed. They were all relased by around 9:30am-- some on bail (out of staters), others just released.

About four of my friends were arrested and they have three criminal charges against them, which if prosecuted and convicted, they could spend around 10 months in jail. I don't think the charges will go through, especially because these were unlawful arrests but... please pray for my friends, that their suffering may avail to some good. This is scary times for all of us.[/quote]Those were must definitely unlawful arrests. That officer might not have a job after this incident. At the very least, he'll be stuck behind a desk for the rest of his career, provided of course, that the rest of the system isn't as biased as he is.

Also...does anyone know - if they don't tell you why you're being arrested, don't you have the legal right to resist?

Edited August 3, 2008 by Farsight one

[kujo]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1616211' date='Aug 2 2008, 10:58 PM']It would be crazy if the charges weren't dropped.

It's hard for me not to say, "Wow, that's so cool!" to my friends, because this is so clearly a case of persecution for the sake of Christ. But it is still scary for my friends, and we are unsure of where God is taking this. What the outcome will be and the like.[/quote]

I know what you mean. I've always kinda wished I'd have something like this happen to me...I'd love to get martryed!!!

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='kujo' post='1616216' date='Aug 2 2008, 11:00 PM']I know what you mean. I've always kinda wished I'd have something like this happen to me...I'd love to get martryed!!!

[/quote]

I know!

And I'm kind of kicking myself, because I could've been there and been on the core team. They were going to pay for my plane tickets and everything. But I couldn't get off work.

Haha, yes, I'm strange.

[Norseman82]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1616195' date='Aug 2 2008, 09:41 PM'][url="http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/comments/washington_dc_area_pro_life_face_the_trutour_participants_arrested/"]http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/c...pants_arrested/[/url]

I don't think this has hit the news yet. I just found this particular entry about it, aftering having gotten off the phone with my best friend from school. She is a core team member of the "Face the Truth" tour and she, along with 17 other individuals were arrested yesterday evening. They had been at a certain location and an officer had come up to them, demanding that they leave. When they asked which laws they were breaking, the officer refused to tell them. He said, "It doesn't matter what the law says, it matters what I say the law says." (They have a video tape of all of this.) So, deciding that they'd rather not be a nuissance and push the issue, they packed up to go to a different location in a different city.

The officer followed them, and once they had set up, he came and arrested my friend. He said nothing except for "Turn around, you're under arrest." When she asked why she was under arrest and what her rights were, he ignored her. Then they arrested everyone who was there. It took all night for them to be processed. They were all relased by around 9:30am-- some on bail (out of staters), others just released.

About four of my friends were arrested and they have three criminal charges against them, which if prosecuted and convicted, they could spend around 10 months in jail. I don't think the charges will go through, especially because these were unlawful arrests but... please pray for my friends, that their suffering may avail to some good. This is scary times for all of us.[/quote]

I just checked my email and I received something about it.

Frightening times indeed - preserve that videotape at all costs and countersue!!! We can't let them get away with this, or the harassment will only get worse!

Edited August 3, 2008 by Norseman82

[Proud2BCatholic139]

Blessed are they, their reward is great in Heaven.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Norseman82' post='1616222' date='Aug 2 2008, 11:03 PM']Was this the one in Maryland? I just checked my email and I received something about it.

Frightening times indeed - preserve that videotape at all costs and countersue!!![/quote]

Yeah, that would be the one. I think they sent out an e-mail to everyone who was on the pro-life list or something. I remember my friend mentioning something about that.

[Brother Adam]

"Those were must definitely unlawful arrests. That officer might not have a job after this incident. At the very least, he'll be stuck behind a desk for the rest of his career, provided of course, that the rest of the system isn't as biased as he is."
---

Not necessarily true at all. If you are in a anti-life area they likely arrested the group to end the abortion protest, which they did successfully. If he even gets a slap on the wrist I will admit surprise.

[HisChildForever]

If I was driving past, I would've pulled over and given them all handshakes.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' post='1616195' date='Aug 2 2008, 09:41 PM'][url="http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/comments/washington_dc_area_pro_life_face_the_tru_tour_participants_arrested/"]http://www.prolifenews.tv/index.php/site/c...pants_arrested/[/url]

I don't think this has hit the news yet. I just found this particular entry about it, aftering having gotten off the phone with my best friend from school. She is a core team member of the "Face the Truth" tour and she, along with 17 other individuals were arrested yesterday evening. They had been at a certain location and an officer had come up to them, demanding that they leave. When they asked which laws they were breaking, the officer refused to tell them. He said, "It doesn't matter what the law says, it matters what I say the law says." (They have a video tape of all of this.) So, deciding that they'd rather not be a nuissance and push the issue, they packed up to go to a different location in a different city.

The officer followed them, and once they had set up, he came and arrested my friend. He said nothing except for "Turn around, you're under arrest." When she asked why she was under arrest and what her rights were, he ignored her. Then they arrested everyone who was there. It took all night for them to be processed. They were all relased by around 9:30am-- some on bail (out of staters), others just released.

About four of my friends were arrested and they have three criminal charges against them, which if prosecuted and convicted, they could spend around 10 months in jail. I don't think the charges will go through, especially because these were unlawful arrests but... please pray for my friends, that their suffering may avail to some good. This is scary times for all of us.[/quote]

This should be overturned in court, so long as the judge is doing his/her job. At the question "What laws are we breaking?" the officer is required to respond truthfully. The statement, "It doesn't matter what the law says, it matters what I say the law says." is laughable. It might even be grounds for dismissal from the police force. Further, if the officer followed them to another city, I believe that he would be outside of his jurisdiction. This probably isn't a problem for legal arrests, but for an illegal arrest such as this could go to demonstrate malicious intent on the part of the officer, beyond his comment. I believe that the proper legal terminology for a case like this is "slam dunk".

In any event, high five to them for acting charitably and for being spiritual martyrs. Prayers for them.

[cmotherofpirl]

Tell them to call these people:
[url="http://www.thomasmoresociety.org/thomas_more_society_attorneys.htm"]http://www.thomasmoresociety.org/thomas_mo...y_attorneys.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.catholicleague.org/"]http://www.catholicleague.org/[/url]

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1616490' date='Aug 3 2008, 03:31 PM']Tell them to call these people:
[url="http://www.thomasmoresociety.org/thomas_more_society_attorneys.htm"]http://www.thomasmoresociety.org/thomas_mo...y_attorneys.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.catholicleague.org/"]http://www.catholicleague.org/[/url][/quote]

I will pass this on, thank-you.

I'm not sure who their lawyer, but from what I've heard he's a pretty good one and he's immensely pro-life. He came with another lawyer from his firm and posted bail for all of the out-of-state pro-lifers (bail at $3,000!!!), at 1am.

[doe-jo]

Wow! That is ridiculous... I will certainly be praying for them and for all the unborn victims.

Edited August 4, 2008 by doe-jo

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
this is really sad! prayers for all of those involved, including the police officers.

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='kujo' post='1616204' date='Aug 2 2008, 08:54 PM']Wow!

I wouldn't worry. If they have all of this on tape, including the violation of their Miranda rights, the charges will be dropped. It wouldn't take a lawyer...heck, I could represent them with my pre-law experience.

I'll pray though. Try to stay positive.[/quote]

Unless they were going to be interrogated, I don't think they would have to read them their Miranda rights.

I'd guess that, especially with video tape, they'll try and quiet this all up to try and avoid lawsuits for unlawful arrests.

Edited August 8, 2008 by CatholicCid

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
here is the video:
[url="http://vimeo.com/1469128"]http://vimeo.com/1469128[/url]

[CatherineM]

You are required to give Miranda warnings at anytime that a person is "in custody." That can mean everything from arrested in cuffs to just standing next to a policeman being told you need to stand there while they sort things out. It's not actually a law, so if a policeman doesn't issue you a Miranda warning, they aren't really in trouble. They just can't use what you might tell them against you. Some of it depends on the local police rules/policies. In some jurisdictions, street cops never give warnings, they just put you in the patrol car, tell you to keep quiet, and then turn you over to detectives at the station who take care of having you sign the waver. Some jurisdictions do that so that all statements can be made on tape, after getting signed wavers.