Official PRESS RELEASE by Joe Sacco
by Joe Sacco
Thursday October 07, 2004 at 06:27 AM
joecoolnv@yahoo.com
Here is the official press release being sent to local Las Vegas news media. Please help support free speech!!!
To: family, friends, and allies
My Constitutionally-Protected 1st and 5th Amendment were violated on Monday, October 4, 2004 when UNLV PD officials slammed my body against a hot police vehicle after I tried to promote PEACE and FREEDOM at the university...
Please FWD this to as many people and news sources as you can!!! More to come...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2004
Re: Free Speech Violation at UNLV Campus
Is free speech still protected in the United States of America? Perhaps the growing police state is to blame. Or, better yet, the Campus police department is simply looking to justify more funding, such as the recent 1.5 million dollar grant given to the university to develop homeland security measures at the Nevada school. The students feel safe as things stand now.
At about 12:30PM I initiated a demonstration of free speech, while attending an event by the student organization REWIND, to promote discussion and thinking about freedom for all people. I pulled my jeans down, to my ankles, as the desert heat was uncomfortably hot. At all times my green boxers covered any sensitive areas that may be deemed indecent. I juggled two sand-filled foot-bags while calling out statements such as "This is freedom of speech" and "Freedom for all people". Only positive messages were being expressed.
The free speech did not involve any controversial political messages regarding the War in Iraq or Afghanistan. In addition, none of my speech was politically charged. I was simply repeating a statement that "We are free in America" and "It is okay to smile".
Students, faculty, staff, and all bystanders in the area responded positively to my actions and words. None of the surrounding people objected a single time, as I was merely exercising my right to free speech. In fact, a group of about 50 people were sitting and standing, watching with smiles on their faces. Not a single person asked me to leave or quiet down.
After about 10 minutes of peaceful and lawful expression, I was surprised that I was now being physically restrained from behind by UNLV Campus Police officers. In fact, my right arm, between my bicep and shoulder was significantly bruised due to the abuse of power. The police proceeded to take me away from the Amphitheater and laid my face upon the hot hood of the police vehicle.
One UNLV student took pictures of the incident with a digital camera. As the group of at least 4 police officers repeatedly trampled upon my rights, many witnesses watched in awe. Ryan Baumgardner, a writer of the UNLV Rebel Yell newspaper, witnessed the unlawful detention.
Upon initial confrontation by the Campus PD, I invoked my 5th Amendment rights stating
"I am going to remain silent" and "I would like to speak to an attorney". The officers ignored my statement and repeatedly asked questions. As I sat in one of the two police vehicles at the Amphitheater, police asked my name and address. I cooperated with these questions, understanding the identification process. The only other words spoken, through the entire incident were "Peace" and "Freedom". The officers continued to pressure further discussion, again and again, suggesting that I may be psychologically defective due to drugs or mental illness. However, it is not to be said that a person whom knows their rights is mentally deficient.
UNLV Campus police proceeded to transport me to the Public Safety office where I remained handcuffed and silent for nearly 1 hour while officers searched the NRS code on the internet, trying to determine what charges they might cite. They ultimately decided to issue a citation with two charges. Violation "A" claimed "Disorderly Conduct/Breach of Peace. Did willfully and unlawfully conduct a breach of peace by screaming and jumping up and down on the Alumni Amphitheater with his pants around his akles in such a manner as to incite a disturbance and obstruct the peace and quiet of a school. (& annoy persons in immediate area)." Violation "B" read "Obstruct P.O. Did willfully hinder, delay, or obstruct a public officer, P. Quinn: UNLVPD, in the lawful discharge of his offical duties, ie. investigating a disturbance by refusing to obey officer's commands and direction". My court date will be on November 15, 2004 at 7:00AM. After given the pink slip, I was finally released and asked to leave campus immediately, which I did.
As a 10-year Las Vegas local and Nevada resident, I feel this to be a waste of our community's resources and a clear abuse of power. In recent years I attended UNLV as a Criminal Justice student and I was taught by university professors that the police must be held accountable. I received my B.A. in Criminal Justice from UNLV in Spring of 2003 and feel that I was given the proper education needed to fully understand my civil rights and liberties which were violated.
Steve Hampton, my attorney, believes this is a clear violation of my Constitutionally-protected right to freedom of speech. Please direct any questions or comments to my lawyer. Hampton can be reached at 702-876-1861 or redwave2001@yahoo.com