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I don't know if you have facebook or not, but there is a group with postings from people who were at the event. Read what they have to say and then comment on if you believe what the police did was justified or not.
Ted Donaldson (Rollins) wrote 5 hours ago "If you want to hear it from someone that was there: The disturbance did not begin with Andrew asking the question. He caused quite a scene by bursting into the room in the middle of Q+A, rudely interrupting Kerry answering another question (what was supposed to be the last one), and demanding to be heard. The cops followed him in (I have the feeling he had been giving them a hard time outside as well) John Kerry responded by asking him to calm down and wait his turn, that his question would be answered next. As some of the videos show, his question was long and rambling without much focus, less of a question if you will than an outburst. John Kerry remained calm, tried to guide him to the direct question he would like answered, but Andrew continued. After Accent cut his mike off, the cops tried to guide him out and as you can all see the real event began. I was sitting in the back row of the auditorium- less than 5 feet from where he was restrained and ended up being tasered. (you can see my green shirt next to my friend in the striped shirt on most of the videos) He WAS NOT handcuffed yet when they did it. He was still attempting to get up and resist the police officers and would not put his hands behind his back. Within close range, I have to say that I didn't feel it was the safest situation. I did not feel like they had him under control at all- and was scared that if he did manage to get up- he would have started getting riled up again. I personally was in a location that if he had started flailing around again- I would have been at risk. Now- my opinion- I think Andrew had intentions to be disruptive and was not going to leave peacefully. I am by no means a proponent of violence, but the way the UPD handled this situation was completely appropriate." -Stephanie Sims, former UF College Democrats PresidentReply to Ted Send Message Report Ted Post #2Erin Decker (UF) wrote 4 hours ago Thank you for posting that. I was also at the forum and completely agree with that account of the incident. I also felt unsafe because Mr. Meyer was being excessively aggressive and violent. I am thankful that UPD was finally able to control the situation and think they acted properly.Reply to Erin Send Message Report Erin Post #3Chris Agard (FIU) replied to Ted's post 3 hours ago I'd like to also thank you. I wasn't as close to him, but agree that his actions were meant to disrupt, and make a scene. He deserved what he got and UPD did what they had to, and had they not handled it as professionally as they did, they wouldn't be doing ther jobs. Being that it was Sen. Kerry the police also had to act accordingly.
Ted Donaldson (Rollins) wrote 5 hours ago "If you want to hear it from someone that was there:
The disturbance did not begin with Andrew asking the question. He caused quite a scene by bursting into the room in the middle of Q+A, rudely interrupting Kerry answering another question (what was supposed to be the last one), and demanding to be heard. The cops followed him in (I have the feeling he had been giving them a hard time outside as well)
John Kerry responded by asking him to calm down and wait his turn, that his question would be answered next.
As some of the videos show, his question was long and rambling without much focus, less of a question if you will than an outburst. John Kerry remained calm, tried to guide him to the direct question he would like answered, but Andrew continued. After Accent cut his mike off, the cops tried to guide him out and as you can all see the real event began.
I was sitting in the back row of the auditorium- less than 5 feet from where he was restrained and ended up being tasered. (you can see my green shirt next to my friend in the striped shirt on most of the videos) He WAS NOT handcuffed yet when they did it. He was still attempting to get up and resist the police officers and would not put his hands behind his back.
Within close range, I have to say that I didn't feel it was the safest situation. I did not feel like they had him under control at all- and was scared that if he did manage to get up- he would have started getting riled up again. I personally was in a location that if he had started flailing around again- I would have been at risk.
Now- my opinion- I think Andrew had intentions to be disruptive and was not going to leave peacefully. I am by no means a proponent of violence, but the way the UPD handled this situation was completely appropriate."
-Stephanie Sims, former UF College Democrats PresidentReply to Ted Send Message Report Ted Post #2Erin Decker (UF) wrote 4 hours ago Thank you for posting that. I was also at the forum and completely agree with that account of the incident. I also felt unsafe because Mr. Meyer was being excessively aggressive and violent. I am thankful that UPD was finally able to control the situation and think they acted properly.Reply to Erin Send Message Report Erin Post #3Chris Agard (FIU) replied to Ted's post 3 hours ago I'd like to also thank you. I wasn't as close to him, but agree that his actions were meant to disrupt, and make a scene. He deserved what he got and UPD did what they had to, and had they not handled it as professionally as they did, they wouldn't be doing ther jobs. Being that it was Sen. Kerry the police also had to act accordingly.
If you have facebook and want to visit the group and read all of their board comments the link is http://uwm.facebook.com/...
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity. -George Carlin
by Maverick78 on Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 05:17:21 PM PST
[ Parent ]
No, I don't frequent Facebook, but this excerpt does add eyewitness reports from a part of the venue not heard from previously. These reports do increase the chances that the external reviews requested by F.U. will result in a conclusion that the use of the taser was justified.
I have definitely come to the conclusion that Meyers fully intended, short of being tased, to have exactly the outcome that has happened. It is not out of the question that he even intended to be tased - would this story have the legs it does without the taser?
I do not have time, but I surely hope that someone tonight will pull together a diary with info like these Facebook comments, the oft repeated eyewitness in row 2, the Kerry team summary, Meyer's history and various websites, etc.
Straight but not narrow. Join the Impact
by Catte Nappe on Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 05:57:40 PM PST
I unfortunately don't have the time. I'm taking 15 credits and working 35 hours a week so my free time is rather limited.
I would like to see how some of these people calling for the cops heads react to these students testimony. They felt scared and the fact that he was not handcuffed and still struggling when he was tasered. I'm not saying the cops should have done what they did, but unless you were there and had it unfold right in front of you, I don't know if you have the right to say what the cops should have or should not have done.
by Maverick78 on Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 06:38:11 PM PST
for respecting truth over spin. Anyone familiar with Kerry's record of the last 35 years knows darn well that he has protected dissent, encouraged dissent and dissented himself more than a few times.
Those trying to pretend otherwise must have ingested a bottle of Feign-Feign.
by Jail the BFEE on Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 07:15:55 PM PST
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