I think it sounds like cops being jerks more than some sort of sanctioned oppression. I'd like to hear more, though.

Are we all going to be restricted to a four foot by four foot space called a "Free Speech Zone" like they have at all the National Parks?

In case you missed it, there is one at the Sugarlands Visitor's Center. Just sign up and you can pass out phamplets all day long. Or at least for the hours you are assigned.

I participated in the voter registration drive for the entire Sundown series during 2004. The organizers of the project coordinated with AC Entertainment and others before it started. We were told no partisan activity on the Square (during the concert), only voter registration and that's what we did. The people working with the Kerry campaign or others with partisan activities could campaign on the sidewalks around Krutch Park and that's what they did. I also participated in this during the 2002 campaigns on a smaller scale. In the years I've been involved in protests and politics it has always been you can do most anything on a sidewalk but not in an area that has been roped off for something else or inside buildings at UT or retail establishments.
That said, cops and crowd control seem to be provocative this year, I guess to show they can control teens drinking and get an article in the paper about it next day.
The stuff I've seen with cops at the concert, it seems they want to heckle the kids or adults, to deliberately get a confrontation started. I've seen it on the strip as well, saw a cop cursing a kid up and down in front of O'Charley's once. I've seen the UTPD use the same kind of tactics with the homeless at Tyson Park. These spaces need control, but not like this. I wonder if there is more to the above mentioned guy's story, but this behavior wouldn't be unheard of.

I go to Sundown a lot and I never see cops wearing yellow blazers. They are usually the same ones each time in uniform. They try to get people to take their beer inside and allow the cleaning crews to start picking up and the band to clear.

I wonder if this guy filed a complaint? Was he charged? Do you ever notice on these stories it is always a friend of a friend wanted me to pass this on?

Will all due respect and not a small amount of fear, I would suggest that the reason it is a "friend of a friend" who reports these things is the very real possibility of reprisal on the part of law enforcement. Anyone who thinks this doesn't happen should go back to Kansas with Dorothy and Toto. My uncle, two cousins, and brother have served on KPD. I know whereof I speak.

This reads like one of those things where there's more to the story somewhere, but who can tell?

The person who was arrested in this story, if he wishes a review of the police activity, should contact Carol Scott,
Executive Director of the Police Advisory and Review Committee at 865-215-3869. She is extremely fair-minded and will help get to the bottom of the situation.

(link...)

This sounds a lot like the t-shirt security they hire. How would Carol Scott have control of that??? T-shirt security is another issue in itself.

Now don't take this for gospel--- but a friend of a friend of a friend "afraid of intimidation" sent this email that he was accosted by a producer of the TV show "what not to wear" beer was sloshed all over his canary yellow "blazer" now what to do??

He was going to his job as a game show host at Grotto's "Jeopardy night" and, a after the scuffle ensued this big story is circulating. It is a little soiled so anyone know any good dry cleaners near downtown?

Tom Martin's version of the story is posted on K2K. The next chapter takes place in General Sessions Court next Monday morning. It will interesting to hear how the City defends the apparent unnecessary use of force by the KPD.

Edit -- It appears River Dog will be representing the City.

Thanks for the kind words. No I won't be representing anyone, however I'll be tied up in another trial. I was pointing out we could go from a feather to a goose pretty quick on these electronic blogs without a lot of good information. Sorry if I ruffled your feathers. I extend my apologies to Mr. Martin as well.

And,we're not likely to be looking for you a 4:27am. I wasn't referring to your original post. Martin Pleasant has since posted Tom Martin's version of the incident on K2K.

Could we get a link to the k2k post?

Sorry i couldn't jump in sooner but it takes a couple
of days to get logged in on these things. The following
is what Martin posted for me on k2k:

Here's my recollection of how things came down.

Following a wonderful free concert by the Wailers, I was standing in Market Square talking with friends & friends of friends. My companions walked further down the square to talk to some other friends with the intention of meeting back up at the same location in a few minutes while
I continued having an interesting conversation with Donald about the Green Party. A man dressed in civilian clothing came up to us and said we either had to go into a bar or leave the square at once. We explained that we were waiting to meet some people & asked if we could simply move further
to the center. The man replied we needed to go into a bar or leave. I asked him why and he said we had to leave.

I told him I thought this was a public square and that I thought we still had the right to peaceably assemble and asked him why that was a problem. He stepped behind me, grabbed me by one arm, claimed to be a policeman,& told me to put my arms behind my back. I asked him to show me his
identification & he threw me to the ground, handcuffed me & took me to the paddy wagon. I asked him for his badge number & he refused to give it to me.

He may have been a policeman, I'm still not sure since he wouldn't provide his identification or his badge number. I though he was maybe a bar bouncer or some sort of security guard. Anyway, I'm charged with "Obstructing a Sidewalk" and "Resisting Arrest." Perhaps we no longer have the right to peaceably assemble, perhaps there is some ordinance that allows the squareto be cleared after a concert, perhaps there was some need to clear that area.If he was actually a policeman with a legitimate need or right to clear the square,he could have identified himself as a policeman with appropriate identification and explained why he needed us to go into a bar or leave the square and I would have left the square. Frankly, although he was somewhat frightening, in no way did I try to get away from him or physically resist him. This was a very surreal experience & I'm still in shock.

If you're interested in "Arbitrary & Capricious Action vs The Right of the People to Peaceably Assemble, Part II," we'll be in General Sessions Court Monday , May 14th, at 9 am.

Bob would say, "Stand up, stand up, stand up for your rights..." I intend to.

-Tom

Tom Martin
315 East Wells Hill Lane
Bulls Gap, TN 37711
423-823-0878

I think this happens fairly often. Policemen sometimes react very badly to what they perceive as "disrespect to an officer". In other words if they don't like your attitude they come down hard on you. They like people to be unwaveringly compliant, ask no questions, demand no rights. If any of these protocols are breached, the policemen who are insecure freak out a little. It's lack of training really.

There are many good police officers. They are the ones who understand they are servants of the people. They don't get all emotionally upset. They know how to be civil, ommunicate well, and get things done without having to rely on drastic measures.

Clearing the public square of all people seems a bit odd to me. I've been to huge concerts in big cities and they simply pick up the trash with the lingering crowds still there. If this is a policy then signs should be posted and this fact advertised. You were caught unawares. Plus you wanted to remain there to meet your friends.

I hate it when I'm confronted by a cop who is "requesting" me to do something that makes no sense. If you question it, they can get belligerent. It's like you're personally threatening them. If you show any emotion about the situation, it just makes matters worse.

I respect the police, and I expect them to respect me.

These kinds of situations reveal who is an intelligent cop and who is a bully from high school who just took the job so they could exercise total power over people.

The good ones deserve a pay raise. The bad ones should be let go.

How does the old saying go? You can't fight City Hall? You can though try to advocate for populating city hall with customer-service oriented officials on all levels.

I assume these were city police.

Looking forward to the Gin Blossoms, because I might not be coming back for many more. I really, really hope I am wrong but I get the idea that Sundown(as it is currently) might be jumping the shark.

It's beginning to look like a pain in the ass just to even be there.

It's beginning to look like a pain in the ass just to even be there.

Or anywhere within several miles. Not to hijack too far off topic, but this event now routinely generates football game-style traffic jams, yet without the special traffic arrangements provided on gamedays by our law enforcement agencies.

A couple of weeks ago, I got off I-40E at Papermill just to get home via Kingston Pike to avoid the interstate malfunction junction jam that has developed on Thursday nights. Yet by the time I reached the stretch of K pike through Sequoia Hills, the eastbound traffic was like Pigeon Forge. Mostly kids w/ cell phones glued to their heads.

I resent being needlessly trapped in traffic. I like the idea of Sundown, for what it is, but I, too, am afraid it has become more of a public nuisance. I was relieved that none of the announced acts hold enough appeal for me to go this year.

As for this incident, I imagine Mr. Martin will probably get his charges dropped eventually, but it won't change the way of doing business there or make up for the man's pain, suffering, costs, or the humiliation he endured.

I guess this is my opportunity to gloat about living in "no mans land" - easy biking distance to the city. I've also been lucky to not have business that required me driving across the river Thursday afternoons.

I didn't realize the traffic was that bad in the afternoon/evening. I assumed it would be spread out over a couple of hours.

____________________________________
Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

Hey A.C. if your reading book this pleas some more bands like Gin Blossoms!!

A.C. if you are reading our blogs. Please consider more music like that of the band you had tonight, and less like some the groups that are loud, hard to understand the lyrics and attract throngs of 14 year olds.

Leon Russell!

Dickey Betts

Allman Bros.

Blues

Zydeco

Last night was good. Everything appeared cordial except WATE said a drunk guy was found carrying a knife in the crowd. With all it's faults I still like Sundown where and how it is. The Wailers are my all time favorites. Steve Windwood was great too in 05. The Brazillian Girls rocked, totally bizzare.

Congrats on recycling the cups, good move!

The Gin Blossoms ranked 1st and the Brazilian Girls dead last it was junk and noise.

Okay you're assessment on the kids may be correct but maybe it's time to limit entry to 18 or 21,

Thorogood was way too loud and the crowd was drunk and obnoxious. Wailers were pretty awful.

I know a lot of people agree. Probably a lot don't. Just one woman's opinion.