Recent history provides a lesson in Crawford justice. Beware, protesters!

[Maddy McCall]

February, 2004

Trial begins for 5 accused of violating Crawford's parade ordinance

By MIGUEL LISCANO Tribune-Herald staff writer

CRAWFORD — A trial began Saturday for five peace activists arrested here last May (2003) for allegedly protesting illegally within the city limits. The case carries nothing more than a fine if they are convicted, but would mean a restriction on speech to the defendants.

The activists are charged with violating the city's parade and procession ordinance — a class C misdemeanor that carries up to a $500 fine. The five and about a hundred others were on their way to President Bush's ranch near Crawford to protest the war in Iraq and various Bush administration policies when they ran into a police blockade. They were arrested after Crawford Police Chief Donnie Tidmore warned everyone to leave.

The trial, held at the Crawford Community Center, is set to continue at 9 a.m. Feb. 16 because lawyers only had time to bring three out of about 11 witnesses to the stand on Saturday.

One of those witnesses, Tidmore, said during cross-examination that a person wearing political buttons without a permit could violate a city ordinance that requires prior notice before a protest or parade.

The chief was asked whether one of the defendants would have violated the ordinance by sporting political buttons, such as those that read "No Nukes" and "Peace," without the permit.

"It could be a sign of demonstration," Tidmore said.

MUCH MORE IN THIS INFORMATIVE ARTICLE HERE: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2004/02/08/1076222527.26609.3387.6762.html

The "Crawford Five" were indeed convicted and fined amounts from $200-$300. I don't know if Chief Tidmore is still in office. What a constitutional travesty this is.


As GOPisEvil pointed out, a judge dismissed charges against the Crawford Five:

Charges against anti-war quintet dropped

By MIGUEL LISCANO Tribune-Herald staff writer

A local county court-at-law judge on Friday dismissed charges against five anti-war activists convicted of protesting illegally in President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford last year.

The judge's decision hands a belated victory to the protesters, who claimed their conviction of a parade ordinance in Crawford was more about restricting free speech than jail sentences or fines.

Representatives for the activists on Thursday challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance in a pretrial hearing at the McLennan County Courthouse — their first chance at appeal beyond a Central Texas town of 705 that has capitalized on Bush's nearby ranch residence.

And on Friday, County Court-at-Law Judge Tom Ragland dropped charges against all five activists.

"Based on the evidence, the court finds that city of Crawford Ordinance No. 2001-006 was overly broad on its face and in the manner in which it was implemented and enforced by the city of Crawford, and therefore, contravenes the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America," Ragland wrote in his one-page decision.

Reference: http://www.texascivilrightsproject.org/newspub/pressclippings.html

[GOPisEvil]

1. If I'm not mistaken those convictions were overturned.

Jim Harrington of the Texas Civil Rights Project is providing legal assistance to Cindy, and he defended The Crawford Five.

Edit - my link was wrong...but anarchy had my back.

[anarchy1999]

9. May 23, 2005 the City of Crawford settled out of court with the

"Crawford" 5. They paid a sum of $43,000 for unlawful arrest.

[sattahipdeep]

13. Good!

We are a strong, German family community. :puke:

[zbdent]

2. Ah, which explains why the "Bush lovers" want to send the protesters

to within the city limits by preventing them from parking outside the "city limits".

If they park in town (giving the protesters parking tickets) and then WALK towards the pig ranch, then they are "parading without a permit"!

Kudos to the guy who let them use his land!

[sattahipdeep]

8. 9:35 a.m. — Phone Press Conference with Fred Mattlage

“These people did not approach me at any time. I went to the Peace House in
Crawford to offer the land, but it is not my desire to put them in closer proximity
to the President. I only want to alleviate some of the problems with the residents.”

Deborah Mathews reporting for The Iconoclast
http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/31-40/33news13.htm

[tk2kewl]

3. so would someone wearing a button saying "these colors don't run"

be making a political statement requiring a permit? :shrug:

if they say no then the whole thing is a 14th Amendment violation as well as a 1st Amendment violation

[MADem]

5. What about bumper stickers? Must the sign be "worn?"

Or carried upon the person? Why aren't they arresting all those assholes with BC04 stickers on their cars? They are parading their politics every time they drive down Main Street!!!

[wtmusic]

7. Oh stop cutting to the heart of the issue

he was on a roll! :D

[greekspeak]

4. Let me see if I get this straight

Simply by wearing a button that expresses an opinion without permission, one is "protesting illegally?" So if I happened to be in Crawford, and I stopped to get some gas, and I was wearing a button that said "peace" on it, I would be fined? If this is the case, it is patently unconstitutional.

[sui generis]

6. so how is a political button different than wearing red white and blue?

or a crucifix? or a star of david?

Wonder if the ACLU is chewing on this? I would refuse to pay and insist on jail time.

I really really really think it would be good to spend a few days in the clink for wearing a political button in America while Ann Coulter spews "hyperbole" about putting bullets in the back of our liberal heads and runs around free. If only she were tanned and wearing a turban while spouting her "hyperbole" . . .

Oh my goodness - if Judith Miller can do it for a horseshit lie, I could sure as hell do it for a real cause.

[Maddy McCall]

11. See my edit.

GOPisEvil pointed out that a judge dismissed charges, and Anarchy1999 said that the Crawford Five settled out of court with the City for unlawful arrest.

Still, though, this provides a bird's eye view to the mentality of the justice system in the city of Crawford.

[sui generis]

12. thanks for the update

scary thing is how much easier it is getting to believe the worst of those goons five years into this presidency.

[Maddy McCall]

15. Still, though, the fact is that they were indicted and convicted...

by CITIZENS OF CRAWFORD. Evidently, citizens of Crawford agree with the police chief's statement about political buttons. They elected him and supported his version in the grand jury and in the trial.

Even though an at-large (non local) judge threw out the conviction, the fact remains that the people of Crawford see things the way that the police chief does. :scary:

[merh]

10. Maybe that is why your car broke down!

The universe didn't want you tempting fate in Crawford! ;-)

Glad you made it home! :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

14. Thank you, sweetheart.

I said the same thing to my son. Now, I may be finishing my PhD, but I am by no means any kind of academic elitist. I am still and will always be a feisty southern girl at heart. Had I been at Camp CAsey when that ignoramus ran over the crosses, I would have raised holy hell. Trust me. Holy hell.

Had I come in contact with some of the anti-Cindy people, I'd have had a very hard time containing my emotions.

Yes, I think it worked out the way it did for a reason.

BTW, I just put a ham in the oven. Can't wait until it's done. Am craving a ham sandwich.

:hug:

[merh]

16. Damn glad to hear it!

The worst of the adventure is over! Recharge time. :bounce:
One weekend I have to come up to visit you and MMjr. What tales I have about some of the folks that come from that area! :hi:

:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

17. You certainly will!

Yes, there are some characters from this neck of the woods. Real characters. :D