ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A video taken Thursday at the Alaska State Fair is getting major attention online. It shows a political activist being restrained and arrested for criminal mischief -- but did fair security guards threaten his right to free speech?
Hundreds of people have watched the video on YouTube overnight THursday. State fair officials say they viewed the incident with protester Sidney Hill as a public safety issue, and not a threat to Hill's free-speech rights.
“We feel like we responded appropriately,” Phipps said. “Because we are the state fair, everyone thinks we're part of the State of Alaska. We're not -- we're a non-profit.”
Phipps says there are several other political groups at the fair, but they all have to follow rules -- including staying within an assigned booth, and not walking around in the open like Hill was.
“They aren't allowed to walk up and down the aisle or congregate in public places, particularly when it’s interfering with the fairgoers’ experience,” Phipps said.
Fair officials say they don't view the force that the guards used as excessive.
“They're required to restrain until they can sort it out, so I don't think it was excessive from that standpoint, particularly when they discovered he had a loaded weapon he brought onto the fairgrounds,” Phipps said.
After police arrested Hill Thursday, he was charged with assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
posted
i do alot of festivals, but not state fairs. the festivals are all on public places streets sidewalks parks etc. i do sign some pretty wierd contracts. Things like i am not allowed to provide water food or drink to any customers etc.
to be honest? if that guy was near my booth? even here in MS where many people would agree with him? i would want him gone because he would hurt my business...
keep in mind that i pay alot of dough to work a festival.
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Kinda like when the unions are picketing some business? I am sure the business would rather they not be there as well, may hurt their business.
Posts: 3417 | From: Cleveland, Ohio | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
i suppose... i wouldn't care if it was anybody doing it for any reason to be honest. if i pay to be there? i expect to be able to sell, that's what i paid for...
if the Fair is public property he certainly has the right to be there. if i don't make money? i would not return to do the festival in any case, if i make money? i might be willing to put up with certain amount of BS, i've actually put up with alot of BS doing "public" festivals...
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:“They're required to restrain until they can sort it out, so I don't think it was excessive from that standpoint, particularly when they discovered he had a loaded weapon he brought onto the fairgrounds,” Phipps said.
After police arrested Hill Thursday, he was charged with assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
I sure hope the security have something to back that bull up in court.
He had a loaded firearm? Notice that that wasn't in the charges? That means he most likely had a legal RIGHT to have it. Assault? Didn't see that on the video, hope they can prove it. Criminal mischief? I would love to see that one pan out for them....
I have to go with Bob and this one...unless there's more to this than what the video shows (which is possible) this is blatant violation of free speach.
posted
I'm sorry guys.. I needed to edit this post to include a parental warning.
If you have kids nearby.. Elderly folks incapable of witnessing the truest forms of verbal debauchery.. If you are weaker than superman's flawless hair.. Please continue no further...
If you do proceed.. please have a shot of grain alcohol ready to dull what will no doubt be a feeling dread satan couldn't conjure..
Proceed with caution.
Best I can see the guy's crime was holding a poster.. yes oversized.. but a poster that said impeach Obama.. Granted the depiction of Obama on the poster had a mustache.. A grisly crime I know.. I am no fan of mustaches either. What is this? The 70's?.. What a horrid time of witless trends..
This is a very horrific picture I have just painted.. Please stay with me.. Through the horror.
There is something worse than an oversized poster with a photoshopped picture of the current president with a photoshopped on mustache... Again, stay with me through this terrifically dismal image of gruesome detail.
That worse thing would be a society that did not allow such an expression of discontent.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by glassman: neither of those guys have gotten laid in ten years
Perhaps not.....but I will give you 10 to 1 that both of fine gents can inhale deeply and be right back to that moment.......familiar smells trigger some of the most vivid memories!!!
-------------------- "The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." (WC) Posts: 386 | From: Georgia | Registered: May 2009
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posted
Quick, Jordan get over there with your impeach bush sign! Oh wait, I keep forgetting Bush is not the President anymore....seems like I am the only one who forgot that though lol
-------------------- It isn't so much that liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so many things that aren't so. Posts: 6949 | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
OK, just watched some video of 17 yr old kid in a red spiderman? body suit who jumped into the baseball game in Philadelphia.
Everybody is upset, the Cheif of police says he's been arrested for being stupid.
They then went on to other scenes of fans running onto baseball feilds this year and showed another 17 yr old kid getting tasered while running around on the baseball feild.
People laugh about this. What crime did they commit exactly? Interrupted your baseball game with a jog? Why is this differnt from the guy in Alaska? People cheered and laughed.
posted
I don't know Glass..... I don't see the connection to government. People paid their money to see a baseball game not a Track and Field event..... the little turd already knew what the likely outcome of the stunt would be, so.....
You prolly realize that I am no fan of Government or Baseball for that matter.....now if it were college football I would be promoting the taser....JK.... You ever realize that nobody tries that chit in football......I guess cause if it had been football then Matt Diaz would mostlikely be a 350 lb, armor claddened, steroid laden freak...... I think Spider boy would get phucked up!
-------------------- "The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." (WC) Posts: 386 | From: Georgia | Registered: May 2009
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posted
actually i was thinking the same thing about football
but i have to say that the Govt does sanction the way this is dealt with, and in a sense it is a very good analogy.
the People want the guy gone, but as an individual? why can't he run around like chicken with his head cut off?
Even tho people don't want to admit it? The Govt here is the People, imperfect surely (as are the People), but it is much more the People here than it is anywhere else in the world
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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