Teachers Arrested at Cedar Rapids Bush Event
by Joel D. Miller
Sat, 4 Sep 2004
Dear Democrats & Democratic Supporters:
Yesterday (Friday) was a sad day for democracy and education in Cedar Rapids.
Our First Amendment rights (see attached email to Lt. Okonek of the CRPD) were trampled on.
And the “Education pResident's” campaign event resulted in:
Two (2) Cedar Rapids School teachers being arrested:
Four (4) Cedar Rapids schools being closed for the day:
Two (2) Cedar Rapids schools closing early; and
Two (2) day-care centers closing early.
Overall,
five (5) of 350 protesters were arrested. I believe all five were
standing on a public street outside of the secure area when
arrested. I believe all five were peacefully protesting as were
all of the protesters.
The
Labor Day weekend is upon us. If you've been waiting to get
involved, now is the time. We have less than 60 days to get
Democrats and Democratic-leaning supporters to register to vote.
And then to vote early.
Regards,
Joel D. Miller
Chair – Linn County Democratic Party
Vice Chair – Second District Democratic Central Committee
P.S.
My sources from inside the Bush event indicated the size of the crowd
to be 5,000-7,000 – not 15,000 as reported by some media sources.
—————————————–
Saturday, September 04, 2004
To: 'OKonek, Steven M.'
Subject: Protest Area
Dear Lt Okonek:
I hope you are having a peaceful day.
I am very disappointed in your lack of communication to me and your officers!
On
Wednesday, you told me a location could not be designated for
protesters. I specifically asked you if we could meet at the pool
house. You indicated we could – it was outside the secure
area. The next day (see below), you reneged.
On
Friday, the day of the event, your officers proceeded to tell us we
could not stand still on the south side of 42nd – that we had to keep
moving. Then told us we could only pass one time between Golf and
Council on 42nd. Then told us we could not walk on 42nd between
Golf and Council. Then told us we could protest on the west side
of Council at 42nd.
When I
talked to 2 officers posted at Golf on 42nd – neither knew of a protest
location. I talked to a short haired, blondish, female officer at
the entrance to the event – she did know of a protest area and
passively tried to radio you. I called 911 to ask them to patch
me through to you – they declined and knew of no protest area. I
asked Sgt Prachar for the designated area – he didn't know. Yet, Sgt
Prachar knew the entire park was rented for the event. You had to
know the park including the pool house was included in the rental when
you talked to me on Wednesday. Why didn't you tell me on
Wednesday?
I find
it interesting that all of the Bush attendees were first entering the
event on the sidewalk on the north side of 42nd and then they were
redirected to the sidewalk on the south side at the same time we were
banned from the sidewalk on the south side. Did the “private
party” who rented the park also rent the whole street?
I
understand the need for security as I have a degree in police science
and 5 years experience in law enforcement. I also know that you
were sworn to uphold the Constitution and you have an obligation to
safeguard the rights of citizens exercising their right to peacefully
assemble and demonstrate.
You and
your officers erred on the side of security yesterday instead of
striking a balance between security and democracy. That error
haunts me. I hope it haunts you and every law enforcement officer
on the scene.
Yesterday was a sad day for democracy in Cedar Rapids.
Joel D. Miller
Chair – Linn County Democratic Party
—————————————–
From: OKonek, Steven M.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
To: JoelMiller
Subject: RE: Bush Protest Planned
Thanks,
As I
said plans do change. The pool house will be designated as being
in the secure area. There will be plenty of law enforcement to
direct demonstrators to a location suitable for demonstrators.
The entire park has now been designated a secure area. There will be a location for your demonstration.
——————————————-
From: Joel Miller
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004
To: OKonek, Steven M.
Subject: Bush Protest Planned
Lt Okonek,
Per our conversation yesterday, I'm sharing the email I sent to Democrats in Eastern Iowa.
Fyi,
Joel D. Miller
***********************************************************
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS WANTED AND WELCOME!
Protest Bush's Post Convention Campaign Stop in Cedar Rapids.
Join us
at 2pm on Friday, September 3rd, at the Noelridge Park Pool (aka
Noelridge Aquatic Center) on 1248 42nd Street NE in Cedar Rapids.
Traffic
will be extremely congested and parking will be limited so plan
ahead. Make your own protest sign and bring it with you.
Better yet, make two and bring one to share with another protester.
For additional details, call the Linn County Democratic Party's office at 319-362-6275 or reply to this email.
P.S.
Why did the “education president” pick a location for a rally which
causes 4 schools to close for the day, 2 schools to close early, and 2
day-care centers to close early? How many workers are going to
lose wages because they have to pay for additional childcare and/or
have to miss work to stay at home with their school children?
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