Demonstrators win millions over bogus arrests

A 2003 protest in Manhattan against the Iraq War went awry when demonstrators were arrested on bogus charges.

Some of them spent 12 hours in jail on these phony charges, even though police video proved they broke no laws. But dozens of these dissidents sued the city of New York for its suppression of free speech.

Just a few days ago, the city finally agreed to settle the case for $2,000,000.

It's unfortunate that New York City incurred such a massive expense by arresting the demonstrators. If the city had left the protesters alone and let them exercise their free speech rights (like free countries do), the city never would've been sued. What's even more unfortunate is that city taxpayers have to foot the bill for the intolerance of the municipal regime they pay taxes to.

The voters need to just clean house in the next election.

Incidentally, New York City authorities didn't learn their lesson quickly enough. After that protest, they carried out even more heavy-handed suppression during the 2004 Republican National Convention.

I know these episodes are only a tiny fraction of the public repression that's plagued America the past 8 years, and the $2,000,000 settlement is just a drop in the bucket. You have to wonder how many incidents go completely unreported. (The Devou Park Showdown has probably never been reported outside The Last Word and this blog.)

(Source: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/08/21-14)