Student tased- questioning John Kerry, refuses to comply with University Police

[HomShaBom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE
http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250
http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20070917/NEWS/70917016/1002/NEWS

U.S. Sen. John Kerry's speech at the University of Florida came to a dramatic close Monday, shortly after a vocal audience member was hauled off by police and shot with a Taser gun.

Jarrett Baker/Special to The Sun
A man who later identified himself as Andrew Meyer resists arrest in the University Auditorium at the University of Florida on Monday afternoon, after trying to ask U.S. Sen. John Kerry a question during a town hall forum.

The audience member was preliminarily identified by UF officials as Andrew Meyer, a UF student in the College of Journalism and Communications.

Toward the conclusion of Kerry's UF forum, Meyer approached an open microphone at the University Auditorium and demanded Kerry answer his questions. The student claimed that University Police Department officers had already threatened to arrest him, and then proceeded to question Kerry about why he didn't contest the 2004 presidential election and why there had been no moves to impeach President Bush.

A minute or so into what became a combative diatribe, Meyer's microphone was turned off and officers began trying to physically remove him from the auditorium. Meyer flailed his arms, yelling as police tried to restrain him.

He was then pushed to the ground by six officers, at which point Meyer yelled, "What have I done? What I have I done? Get away from me. Get off of me! What did I do? ... Help me! Help."

Police threatened to user a Taser on Meyer if he did not "comply," but he continued to resist being handcuffed. He was then Tased, which prompted him to scream and writhe in pain on the floor of the auditorium.

After the incident, Capt. Jeff Holcomb of the UPD said Meyer had been charged with disrupting a public event and placed in the Alachua County Jail. Holcomb said there would be an investigation into whether the officers used force appropriately, adding that employing a Taser gun would only be justified in a case where there was a threat of physical harm to officers.

As Meyer was escorted away, he was followed by several students, including Matthew Howland, 20. Howland, a UF senior who said he didn't know Meyer, said he was "appalled" by the way UPD officers handled the situation. Howland acknowledged that Meyer had acted inappropriately by "rushing" the microphone and forcing a question on Kerry.

"It's a perfect example of when officers take something to a level that is not necessary," he said. "The officers escalated that situation."

Throughout the incident, Kerry urged the audience to "cool down" and acknowledged that Meyer had raised an important question. As officers escorted Meyer from the auditorium into the lobby, Kerry went on to explain that he did not think there was sufficient evidence of voter suppression to justify contesting the 2004 election.

"We just couldn't do it in good conscience because we didn't have that evidence," he said.

 

[Core407]

I love how people are yelling rodney king and police brutality at the end of the video. That audience member seemed like a tool. He got what he had coming to him.

 

[Phobophile]

I love how people are yelling rodney king and police brutality at the end of the video. That audience member seemed like a tool. He got what he had coming to him.

I woulda tried starting up a "USA" chant.

 

[Core407]

I woulda tried starting up a "USA" chant.

USA #1! GO USA, GO!

The guy seemed like he was hopped up on some kind of drugs. I hate all of these left wing whackos who think they have all of these rights to speak their mind and whatnot.

 

[Javaman]

He sounds like a whiny antagonist bitch. No wonder the fuzz took him down.

 

[tyguy20204]

He thinks he's going to be killed? What the fuck?

 

[Captain Glanton]

I woulda tried starting up a "USA" chant.

America! Fuck yeah!

 

[Javaman]

"There are people who know I'm here. You can't.... You can't just kill me. "

LOL. What the heck.

 

[Karakand]

Our paths are inextricably linked, pxleyes. :lol

 

[Blackace]

The police used too much force and all. But really I love how people have such short-term memories... "What did I do? What did I do?"

 

[Cheebs]

That's what happens when you resist arrest, idiot.

 

[Ripclawe]

He got tasered for a reason, acting like an idiot and not complying with the officers who do have a job of protecting a sitting senator is just an invitation for an ass beating.

 

[Core407]

The police used too much force and all. But really I love how people have such short-term memories... "What did I do? What did I do?"

No, they really didn't. The guy is just a whiny bastard who is too stupid to realize the consequences of his actions.

Ever heard the saying "Don't poke the papa bear"? I think it sums it up pretty well.

 

[Ripclawe]

The point the officers got serious was when they were at the door and the fool decides to break away from them screaming.

 

[grandjedi6]

That's what happens when you resist arrest, idiot.

Pretty much. Thats why he got tasered, not because he asked a stupid question

 

[Blackace]

No, they really didn't. The guy is just a whiny bastard who is too stupid to realize the consequences of his actions.

Ever heard the saying "Don't poke the papa bear"? I think it sums it up pretty well.

actually they did use too much force. Don't get me wrong, I know he ws acting a fool but he was no where near a threat at that time. They had already put him down.

I bounce and I know it is tempting to hit a guy upside his head because it would be plain out easier than dealing with him... and most the time they deserve it. But there is a time to use that kind of force and a time not to.

"don't poke papa bear" would give police a right to shoot him in the kneecap to stop him..

The point the officers got serious was when they were at the door and the fool decides to break away from them screaming.

Well that does change quite a bit there... I thought they were trying to cuff him and he was just acting a fool and they zapped him..

 

[GaimeGuy]

USA #1! GO USA, GO!

The guy seemed like he was hopped up on some kind of drugs. I hate all of these left wing whackos who think they have all of these rights to speak their mind and whatnot.

What the fuck does this have to do with left vs. right?

 

[Core407]

actually they did use too much force. Don't get me wrong, I know he ws acting a fool but he was no where near a threat at that time. They had already put him down.

I bounce and I know it is tempting to hit a guy upside his head because it would be plain out easier than dealing with him... and most the time they deserve it. But there is a time to use that kind of force and a time not to.

"don't poke papa bear" would give police a right to shoot him in the kneecap to stop him..

He was pretty much taunting them to do something so they responded accordingly. Now shooting him in the kneecap would be excessive force. I'm sure hearing the guy whine during the scuffle didn't help his case. :lol

 

[Core407]

What the fuck does this have to do with left vs. right?

Left wing people seem to feel the constitution gives them the right to act like a jackass. Not saying ALL but a heft some.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

What a douche. The cops even tell him he's going to be tazed if he doesn't relax and he keeps spazzing and swearing for like a minute.

Not that like 6 cops couldn't restrain him without a tazer, but still.

 

[Blackace]

He was pretty much taunting them to do something so they responded accordingly. Now shooting him in the kneecap would be excessive force. I'm sure hearing the guy whine during the scuffle didn't help his case. :lol

If he did run from them after they got a hold of him that is different. But just talking shit does not give an officer a right to tase you..

 

[Tamanon]

What the fuck does this have to do with left vs. right?

Ignore him, he's a Braves fan.

 

[Cheebs]

Left wing people seem to feel the constitution gives them the right to act like a jackass. Not saying ALL but a heft some.

I'm pretty left and I would still think it's his own fault if you replaced kerry with bush in this event.

 

[Futureman]

Left wing people seem to feel the constitution gives them the right to act like a jackass. Not saying ALL but a heft some.

This guy is a nut. Aligning him with either the left or right is just trying to start a fight. Shut the hell up man.

 

[Big-E]

Douchebag deserved it and I am as Left Wing as they come.

 

[Blackace]

I'm pretty left and I would still think it's his own fault if you replaced kerry with bush in this event.

If it was Cheney he would have busted a cap in him before the police could have gotten there!

There is no doubt that he brought it on himself...

 

[Core407]

If he did run from them after they got a hold of him that is different. But just talking shit does not give an officer a right to tase you..

It does though. I'll tell you a little secret. Cops don't like fighting with people and if they can use a non-lethal tool (debatable, yes) to get the job done, they probably will. It's their protocol.

I mean, watch the video. He's clearly resisting. He yells "get off of me" and attempts to push away from the cops (albeit in a girly fashion).

 

[Ripclawe]

That point he is going to get tasered.

 

[Tamanon]

Yeah I can understand the tasering, dude was trying to just keep causing trouble and escape arrest.

 

[Blackace]

It does though. I'll tell you a little secret. Cops don't like fighting with people and if they can use a non-lethal tool (debatable, yes) to get the job done, they probably will. It's their protocol.

You are not telling me anything new partner.. I have been on the end of a few non-lethal methods in my youth. Two I had coming, one I didn't.... Police are not held accountable for such methods like they are when they discharge their guns. If they spray you with a half a can of pepperspray for saying "fuck you pig." they don't have to fillout any paperwork or answer to anyone.. I have grown up, from my teenage years and I know I did a lot of bad stuff in my days. I know a police officer's job a dangerous, and very important. BUT it doesn't give them a right to use these methods when there is really no need for them.. but that is just an opinion.. this asshat brought it all upon himself...

edit: with him running away I understand. I just read the report at first and sounded like they had him and he was just being a whiny prick..

 

[Thaedolus]

this asshat brought it all upon himself...

Yep. And while you might agree with some of the stuff he was preaching (impeach Bush anyone?) he definitely was off his rocker (OMG FOLLOW ME THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME!!)

 

[Javaman]

It seems to me that the guy got exactly what he wanted, attention. Why else would he keep yammering out that archaic "fact filled" speech, barraging Kerry with questions without giving him a chance to answer. He came off looking like an intellectual attention whore. If he really wanted to put Kerry on the spot he should have asked a damning question and then shut the hell up to let the Senator stumble through the answer.

 

[Diablos]

He was pissed off, but come on, they used too much force. He didn't start getting REALLY out of control until they grabbed him, and at first, even John Kerry said it was ok and that he wanted to address him.

Later, though, Kerry was being a bit of a prick about the whole ordeal. "Unfortunately he's not here to swear me in as President." Hur hur. I would have expected better from him, even if this dude was having a bit of a temper tantrum.

 

[Ripclawe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bVa6jn4rpE

Much better quality.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

Gainesville.

>.>

How I love and hate you at the same time....

 

[Belfast]

Yeah, I'm ashamed I missed that today, but a lot of local people were talking the Kerry visit up as sort of a non-issue. More or less like there was no real reason for him to come down and talk and it'd probably be boring, so I just didn't go. I guess it turned out the other way, didn't it?

Anyway, UFPD generally sucks and they probably shouldn't have tasered him. He was being a little too "activist" for my tastes and bringing up issues that couldn't really be dealt with at this point (i.e. "Why didn't you pursue overturning the last presidential election results?"). He's written op/ed pieces for the school paper over the years, too, and he just comes off as annoying.

But they already had six officers on him and even if he was being unruly, I don't think he posed a physical threat to anyone. They could've gotten him out of there without the taser.

 

[Enron]

 

[Blackace]

Yeah, I'm ashamed I missed that today, but a lot of local people were talking the Kerry visit up as sort of a non-issue. More or less like there was no real reason for him to come down and talk and it'd probably be boring, so I just didn't go. I guess it turned out the other way, didn't it?

Anyway, UFPD generally sucks and they probably shouldn't have tasered him. He was being a little too "activist" for my tastes and bringing up issues that couldn't really be dealt with at this point (i.e. "Why didn't you pursue overturning the last presidential election results?"). He's written op/ed pieces for the school paper over the years, too, and he just comes off as annoying.

But they already had six officers on him and even if he was being unruly, I don't think he posed a physical threat to anyone. They could've gotten him out of there without the taser.

Yes I think so too, but.. at the point where he does break away from the officer and runs he does pose a threat. The fact that they let him get away from 6 officers is another topic..

 

[BlueTsunami]

"They're giving me to the Government, oh my god, they're giving me to the Government"

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

 

[way more]

It seems the cops decided to take him out once he asked if Kerry was part of the "Skull and Bones, " secret society.

Coincidence?

I agree that the cops gave him about as much leniency as they could.

 

[Macam]

He got tasered for a reason, acting like an idiot and not complying with the officers who do have a job of protecting a sitting senator is just an invitation for an ass beating.

That about sums it up.

 

[Milabrega]

But they already had six officers on him and even if he was being unruly, I don't think he posed a physical threat to anyone. They could've gotten him out of there without the taser.

Six officers on top of him already pinned to the floor, there is NO need for a taser in that situation. Really the taser when he is pinned by 6 officers will make the whole situation as a whole seem worse than it really is. "Insighting a riot" a bullshit charge the police are going to use ( and probably successfully ) to warrant what they did.

If the format was open mic where students get to ask the questions I don't see anything wrong with what he was doing for the police to take him out in the first place. ( I mean yeah his approach wasn't in a very professional matter, but something of that sort should be expected on a college campus ).

Edit: Yeah after watching the youtube version instead, the dude totally deserved that tasering.

 

[Blackace]

"They're giving me to the Government, oh my god, they're giving me to the Government"

Bush: "How do you like your quasi-futuristic clothes Mr. Meyer? I designed them myself!"

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

Six officers on top of him already pinned to the floor, there is NO need for a taser in that situation. Really the taser when he is pinned by 6 officers will make the whole situation as a whole seem worse than it really is. "Insighting a riot" a bullshit charge the police are going to use ( and probably successfully ) to warrant what they did.

If the format was open mic where students get to ask the questions I don't see anything wrong with what he was doing for the police to take him out in the first place. ( I mean yeah his approach wasn't in a very professional matter, but something of that sort should be expected on a college campus ).

After watching the better linked Youtube version in this thread, I think the police had legitimate reason to worry that the guy was trying to incite a riot, calling for people to come help him, etc. They probably wanted to shut him up before things got out of hand. He also wouldn't stop trying to get away from them and was clearly resisting arrest.

Plus, admit it - you wanted to see that guy get tazed too. It would have been anticlimactic without it.

 

[Blackace]

Six officers on top of him already pinned to the floor, there is NO need for a taser in that situation. Really the taser when he is pinned by 6 officers will make the whole situation as a whole seem worse than it really is. "Insighting a riot" a bullshit charge the police are going to use ( and probably successfully ) to warrant what they did.

That is how I thought the situation was, but I was wrong.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Six officers on top of him already pinned to the floor, there is NO need for a taser in that situation. Really the taser when he is pinned by 6 officers will make the whole situation as a whole seem worse than it really is. "Insighting a riot" a bullshit charge the police are going to use ( and probably successfully ) to warrant what they did.

people getting tasered is hilarious though. Comedic value>>>that douche's civil rights

 

[EBCubs03]

Fuck the police

rebel in the streets
rebel on the rooftops
rebel in the schools

 

[JohnTinker]

A friend and I were going to go to this earlier today, but I wasn't able to get off work.

Not sure if my friend went or not, but we were going to go and wanted to ask him questions as well, but not in that manner :lol

We wanted to ask him, "Whats it like losing to George W. Bush?"

 

[Fuzzery]

Justified by the video IMO, who knows what the fuck he'll do if he managed to break to break free of the officers (he was close).

 

[chubigans]

Oh man, that video was classic. :lol :lol :lol