Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble...Not In Baltimore



You have go to be kidding me. Up in Charles Village last night 16 people were arrested by the BCPD after election celebrations carried over into the streets. Overreaction reigned supreme in something that was nothing more than a showing of support for the candidate they were glad to see elected. I can see why the BCPD asked the crowds to move along, and understandably people got too enthusiastic, but arrests and tasers in response? It made for a sorrowful juxtaposition.

The Baltimore Sun had an article today about the incident. Hopkins students talked about getting tased, being shoved by officers, and camera phones being tossed. One student reported that a girl, after mentioning to a police officer that she had the right to assemble peaceably, was promptly thrown to the ground and arrested. Those arrested were not charged with any crimes, but spent the night in Central Booking

Their crowd control policies should seriously be reviewed. I am extremely ashamed of the BCPD for this one. They were college students, not rioters.

Sun article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-arrests1105,0,2394038.story

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