Protesters at a public park in Fresno were harassed and arrested by police for a third consecutive evening Monday as officers told them that local penal code allowed them to ignore First Amendment rights and break up protests.
The protest group, calling itself “Occupy Fresno”, has refused to move out of the park and onto a sidewalk, asserting that it is their constitutional right to remain where they are.
Officers in riot gear approached the remaining protesters Monday night, once again asking them to comply with police orders to leave or face arrest.
Fresno County Sheriffs Lt. Andriatti and Officer Neil Dadian were filmed informing protesters that local penal code outstrips the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
“Does the penal code here and ordinances that you’ve said that we’re violating, trump the constitutional First Amendment to peaceably assemble and protest the government?” a protester asked the officers.
“In this instance here, that is what we are enforcing. That penal code…” Andriatti replied.
When asked to explain the law further, the officers refused.
Watch the video:
Arrested Occupy Protesters Told By Police: Penal Code Outstrips US Constitutions
Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:44 pm