Occupy Tampa Update: Six Protesters Arrested and Charged for Assembly (Video)

Open Letter

Six protesters were arrested shortly after 8 a.m. on October 21st and were charged with “assemblies obstructing streets and sidewalks.” Remaining protesters said Capt. Dugan led the scene and that police arrived with a new edict allowing protesters to sleep ’til 8 a.m.

Emboldened after a sometimes-sympathetic city council meeting, protesters were ready to assert their right to assemble.

Alicia Dion, Scott Fitzgerald, Kevin Flynn, Andrew Kovanis, Gregory Priem and Skylar Sabey were arrested for “assemblies obstructing streets and sidewalks.”

The catch? They weren’t obstructing the sidewalk, and @Crackrero has the video to prove it.

Additional video and details below

The statute:

Sec. 14-41. – Assemblies obstructing streets and sidewalks.
All persons are hereby prohibited from gathering and standing in
groups upon the streets, avenues and sidewalks of the city in such a
manner as to obstruct the free passage of persons or vehicles upon the
sidewalks or streets of the city.
(Ord. No. 89-238, § 2(24-21), 9-28-89)

The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”