Yearly Archives: 2013

Mob Violence and Mistaken Identity

"The mob that beat Professor Singh called him 'Osama' and accused him of being a terrorist. This kind of thing is hardly uncommon: Since 9/11, scores of Sikhs have been beaten or abused – or murdered -- by people mistakenly believing them to be Arab terrorists. Commercial trucker Jageet Singh was the victim of an even worse variety of mob violence in Mississippi. When he suffered a flat tire last January, police officers who arrived on the scene accused him of being a terrorist, made derogatory remarks about his religion, forced him to circle his truck with his hands on his head while the vehicle was searched, and then arrested him for supposedly refusing to obey an officer." Continue reading →

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Neighborhood secession creeps into Scarborough property tax dispute

"More than a month after appeals began on 44 property tax assessments from 2012 at Higgins Beach and Pine Point, continued arguments consumed five hours Monday night. While hearings continue, appellant Don Petrin of River Sands Drive has hinted the appeal effort will spread beyond Town Hall and the courts, to a secession movement in the waterfront neighborhoods hardest hit by the revaluations. 'I’m not leading that effort, however I will, like many, support that effort,' Petrin said. 'Legal advice was solicited and received as to the steps involved, however I have not seen the required petition as yet.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNeighborhood secession creeps into Scarborough property tax dispute

Eric Margolis: Why I Keep A Swiss Bayonet On My Desk

"'Most armed; most free.' So the renowned Italian thinker and strategist Niccolo Machiavelli described the Swiss five centuries ago. Switzerland has long stayed behind its borders and observed armed neutrality, avoiding both world wars. But on voting days in the Alps, burly farmers come down from the mountains carrying their rifles, axes, and swords – reminders that Swiss independence was won and remains thanks to her people’s force of arms. Switzerland is the world’s oldest democracy, dating from 1291. Citizens vote directly in all major questions. The 26 Swiss cantons manage their own financial, judicial, and administrative affairs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEric Margolis: Why I Keep A Swiss Bayonet On My Desk

Separatists chant ‘Death to Belgium’ at country’s new royal couple

"Though several hundred people lined up to greet Philippe, who ascended to the throne in July after his father’s abdication, an equally big crowd of republican separatists massed nearby shouting 'Death to Belgium' and waving the Flemish flag. Antwerp, Europe’s second biggest port located in the northern region of Flanders, is home to the powerful Flemish separatist N-VA party whose leader Bart De Wever won election as city mayor last year. Philippe and Mathilde are currently visiting Belgium under a medieval tradition that calls for new sovereigns to make 'a joyous entry' into the country’s major towns, and Friday’s protest was the first of its kind so far." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSeparatists chant ‘Death to Belgium’ at country’s new royal couple

Greek police arrest one of their own while raiding neo-Nazi party’s offices

"A 45-year-old officer, who is working as the bodyguard of a Golden Dawn lawmaker, was detained during the raid at party offices in central Greece, a police source said. The links between Golden Dawn and police have come under intense scrutiny in Greece after the murder of an anti-fascist musician by an alleged member of the party. Further raids of Golden Dawn’s offices are expected in coming days, the police source said. Capitalising on a rise in social tension in the debt-stricken country, Golden Dawn was first elected to parliament last year with nearly seven percent of the vote, winning 18 seats out of an overall 300." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGreek police arrest one of their own while raiding neo-Nazi party’s offices

Neighbor Gets Tased While Cops Investigate Suicide Attempt

"The Blondins got within about 37 feet of the scene, heard Jack moaning and saw him pinned on the ground. Donald Blondin said, 'What are you doing to Jack?' and faced a barrage of orders to get back. When he didn’t move, or didn’t move enough, Sgt. Jeff Shelton rushed him with Taser drawn. A witness said that Blondin seemed to be 'frozen with fear.' Shelton warned Blondin that he was about to be Tased, but fired before he finished saying it, according to the ruling. The lower court threw out the Blondins’ lawsuit, saying the officer was 'immune' from suit in these circumstances." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNeighbor Gets Tased While Cops Investigate Suicide Attempt

Cop assaults camerawoman after being caught soliciting a bribe

"He was supposed to protect and serve. Instead, a DeKalb County police officer has resigned in disgrace after admitting he solicited a bribe and became violent after he noticed someone shooting video of the transaction. Brown can be seen in the video rushing over to the woman and knocking the phone to the ground. That sparked a confrontation between the Brown, Water and several of her friends. The next day, one of the women filed a complaint with the department’s Center Precinct. He cited car expenses, child support and low pay as reasons he solicited the bribe." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop assaults camerawoman after being caught soliciting a bribe

Family of man killed by Phoenix officer suing his former partner

"The family of a man shot and killed by a Phoenix police officer is suing the cop's former partner alleging he failed to stop the officer from using excessive force. During the trial, Chrisman's partner, Sergio Virgillo, testified for Rodriguez's family saying he saw no threat justifying the use of deadly force. But despite his testimony, Rodriguez's family is suing Virgillo. The suit claims, 'Officer Virgillo has an opportunity to intervene and stop Officer Chrisman from using excessive force against Daniel and failed to do so.' The family says Officer Virgillo knew that Chrisman was going to shoot Rodriguez sooner or later and he turned away to 'get out of the danger zone.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFamily of man killed by Phoenix officer suing his former partner

Principal, sheriff’s deputy sued after arresting student having seizure

"A vice principal at an Upper Kanawha Valley high school and a sheriff’s deputy assigned to it are accused of falsely imprisoning and arresting a special education student. Andrew Johnson, vice principal at Riverside High School, and Cpl. Richard Lane are named as co-defendants in civil rights suit filed by Betsy Frame. In her suit, filed Sept. 10 in Kanawha Circuit Court, Frame, 41 and a Belle resident, alleges Johnson and Lane illegally detained and arrested her daughter nearly two years ago when they mistook her reaction to waking up from a seizure-induced nap as an act of aggression." Continue reading →

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Officer convicted of assault after shooting and killing man and his dog

"Virgillo’s version of events had Chrisman barging into the trailer after Rodriguez had asked for a warrant, with Chrisman putting his weapon to Rodriguez’s head and responding that the gun served as his warrant. Rodriguez’s mother, Elvira Fernandez, took the witness stand when jurors were asked to determine whether Chrisman’s decision to point a gun at the head of Rodriguez caused emotional distress for Rodriguez’s family. Fernandez was moved to tears as she described her guilt over calling police that afternoon to report that her son had thrown something against the wall of their trailer and scared her, telling jurors that she thinks every day of her decision to call police." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOfficer convicted of assault after shooting and killing man and his dog