Charlotte City Council OKs expanding police power during DNC

[bathroommonkey76]

In preparation for the Democratic National Convention, the Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 Monday night to approve new ordinances that will give police more power to stop and search people during the convention.

In addition, the new rules will prohibit camping on city property, a change that will keep Occupy Charlotte protesters from sleeping on the lawn at old City Hall.

The vote was met with shouts of "Shame!" from a packed council chamber, which prompted most of the council and Mayor Anthony Foxx to temporarily leave the dais. Protesters upset at the vote continued to shout chants, such as "Evict us, we multiply ... Occupy will never die," in the lobby of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.

No arrests were reported.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/24/2953565/police-powers-during-democratic.html#storylink=cpy

[Hugabear]

1. 4th Amendment? Never heard of it.

The city has said the changes protect the First Amendment, though the American Civil Liberties Union has said some of the measures go too far, including giving the police power to arrest people carrying backpacks, satchels or coolers if they believe the items are being used to carry weapons.

[99th_Monkey]

8. Yes, Occupy protesters are well known for carrying weapons

in their backpacks, don't you know?

[Hugabear]

9. Lol - you would expect that from a Tea Party rally

Of course, many teabaggers aren't shy about carrying their weapons in the open, for intimidation.

[99th_Monkey]

21. True that re: TP

maybe that's what they have in mind

[quakerboy]

24. And, in a country

where Nail clippers and liquids over an ounce are weapons, surely there is reason to believe all backpacks are being used to carry weapons.

[mopinko]

2. oh, you mean it isn't just rahm?

well, fancy that.

[Turbineguy]

3. They forgot to include

Convention Delegates. Or does that get added later?

[SoapBox]

4. I'll bet the Charlotte Police Militia is just itching to...

club some pesky Occupier, 99%er, Dem, Lib and Progressive heads.

Now about those GOPBaggers, T.Haters and GOPathetics...hell, they are A-OK!

...probably polishing up the Goon Squad/Storm Trooper get ups right now.

[wildeyed]

16. The Charlotte police have never been involved in any type of violence toward Occupy.

At least I have never heard of them being anything but professional

Although not involved in the negotiations, the word I got was that they were respectful and that there were a number of revisions to the ordinance were made to address protester's concerns. But whatever. I guess it is more fun to rant about goon squads.

[bathroommonkey76]

18. Well, the Charlotte Police are going to be tested!

That's fo' sure!

[wildeyed]

20. This is true.

It should be an interesting time around these parts.

[sakabatou]

5. So... just because they believe it's in there, they can arrest you?

[Hugabear]

15. It really stretches the meaning of "probable cause" doesn't it

I guess it now means "I think you probably have something, so I have cause to detain and search you"

[Uncle Joe]

6. That is a shame, trashing the Bill of Rights is as natural as breathing with some.

Thanks for the thread, bathroommonkey76.

[bathroommonkey76]

19. yw n/t

[yodermon]

7. Any Supreme Court precedents on this?? n/t

[Magoo48]

10. One sure way around this oppression is to have overwhelming numbers.

[Alcibiades]

11. Of course, these powers will only be used against progressives

Right wing protesters will be free to do whatever they want.

[X_Digger]

12. Disgusting. n/t

[Arctic Dave]

13. And the DNC will be pleased as punch by this.

Boycott the convention, send a message to the bozos in charge.

[Javaman]

14. I have a feeling this won't end well. nt

[slay]

17. #Occupy should flood into Charlotte regardless

i know i will be there - and i will NOT be on the side of the 1%.

[Solly Mack]

22. k/r

[gopiscrap]

23. Figures

the Democrats if they had any balls, should ask Charlotte not to do this...if not..this place should be over run with protesters and torn apart!