So I was arrested last night...

[Radar]

I was peacefully handing out Libertarian pamphlets at the post office last night when Larry H. Dozier (Communications Program Specialist for the Public Affairs & Communications Department of the USPS) came outside and told Mark Selzer, Ed Ronquillo, Dan Sherman, etc. to leave the Post office parking lot and to go to the outer sidewalk on the street. I reminded Mr. Dozier that he's sworn to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution which protects our right to peacefully assemble on government land and our right to express ourselves freely and that he could not make us leave if we were not preventing anyone from doing their postal business.

He said I required a permit to be there, which he alone had the power to arbitrarily grant or deny. I told him that I did not need a permit to exercise my rights. He said I was trespassing, so I reminded him that I paid for the land so it's not trespassing. He told me if I continued to peacefully hand out literature, I'd be arrested. I made sure the television cameras were on me and I continued handing out pamphlets.

The postal police told me to go inside so I could be arrested. I told them if they wanted to arrest me, they'd have to do it outside in front of the cameras. They tried to push me and twist my arm but I wasn't moving. When I was sure we were on camera, I complied with them and went inside to allow them to arrest me.

The postal police officer arresting me told me he agrees with me 100%, but he's got a pension to worry about and he's got to do what he's told. I waited with my arms cuffed behind my back for an hour or so before the LAPD picked me up. The officer who picked me up asked why I was doing this and they could be better used doing something else. I told him I was just exercising my rights. When we went to the police station to be booked he told me he couldn't believe they were arresting me. He said they NEVER arrest anyone, including homeless who harass people begging for money, people who hand out flyers on car windows, etc. on any other day than tax day. They booked me, took mugshots, fingerprints, etc., gave me a ticket, and released me.

I will absolutely win this court case. They don't have a chance in hell of beating me. The good part is Mark Selzer and I were on television and they mentioned that we were Libertarians, that libertarians were against income taxes, and that we were handing out anti-tax literature when one of us was arrested. Luckily, my job is directly across the street from the courthouse so I can go there without missing a whole day of work.

Sometimes you've got to stand up for your rights. I don't think my parents are thrilled. I made it to 36 years without being arrested and I won't be convicted, but they don't like me getting mugshots, fingerprints, etc.

In my opinion it was worth it. But then again, I haven't seen the bail amount yet.


Your Friend In Liberty,


Paul T. Ireland
Chairman - Candidate Support Committee
Libertarian Party of California