Many of you have already heard the story but for those who have not here are the basics:
Senator John Kerry (D-Mass) was attending a forum at the University of Florida. Another student was asking a question when 21-year-old Andrew Meyer, a telecommunications major, interrupted him and Kerry stated he would answer his question next.
Meyer asked a question and then stated that President Bush should be impeached. That’s when police turned off the microphone. Campus police then proceeded to take Meyer out of the auditorium. They were escorting him toward the exit when he tried to break free, police then tackled him and told him to roll over.
Meyer was screaming for help when a female officer issued the order to stun him with a Taser gun, according to an article on cnn.com.
A protest of the campus soon followed with students accusing the department of police brutality.
The actions of the campus police were certainly irresponsible and an abuse of power and a possible violation and infringement on our First Amendment right: the freedom of speech.
The University of Florida police department was guarding the microphone throughout the event and initially refused to let Meyer speak. It was only after Sen. Kerry intervened and asked for Meyer to be allowed to speak that the microphone was surrendered to Meyer.
First of all, what was the police department doing guarding the microphone? If this was an open forum doesn’t that mean that everyone has a right to speak?
Freedom of Speech – 0, Abuse of authoritative power – 1.
Why did the police department refuse to let Meyer pose a question? And why should students, or any citizen, have to have permission from anyone to speak their mind?
Freedom of Speech – 0, Abuse of authoritative power – 2.
And finally why did the police department disconnect the microphone during Meyer’s statement? The attack against President Bush was no grounds for disconnecting the microphone, escorting him out or stunning him with a Taser. Citizens are allowed to judge, question and protest our government officials at any time and without the fear of persecution.
Freedom of Speech – 0, Abuse of authoritative power – 3.
