Libertarians can't dance - Updated

By Libby

It was a simple enough plan. A small group of about 20, from my perspective youngish, libertarian Jefferson admirers decided to celebrate Tom's birthday by dancing at the Jefferson Memorial, at midnight, for about ten minutes. They would video the event and go home. Apparently the local constables descended on the group immediately and ordered them to disperse. One person was arrested on disorderly charges for the henious crime of asking why.

To be clear, by all accounts, they were wearing iPods so the music wasn't audible. It seems unlikely a case could be made they were disturbing the pubic enjoyment of the memorial at that hour, although they say there were six other people there who were unrelated to the group. There's no indication any of them complained. Julian Sanchez and Radley Balko, who was there after the fact, have more.

James Joyner also weighs in to note there may possibly be some obscure statute about assembling even a small group without a permit. If that's true then I would think any organized tour or school groups on class field trips would be prohibited from visiting the site. But even if there is such a rule, what a sad illustration of the state of our freedoms when we're not allowed to assemble freely in a peaceful manner on taxpayer funded public property. Apparently, this is what the administration really meant when they told us that 9/11 changed everything.

Update:Radley has new developments.

She was apparently charged with “interfering with an agency function,” which to me sounds like a catch-all they can trot out that means, “she pissed off a cop.”

I'd agree that's exactly what it sounds like. He also posts a short video interview with two witnesses. It seems clear the cops way overstepped their bounds. Meanwhile, Mark at Publius Endures notes that the comment section at Megan's post is more frightening than the incident itself. Oh, and by the way, it's Mark's birthday so click over and wish him a happy one.

Comments

[littlehorn]

Cops have bounds in America ? :-)

[Mark]

Thanks, Libby!

[Libby]

Good point Littlehorn.

Hey Mark. Happy Birthday my dear.