Las Vegas police help kick out veterans’ group from downtown parade
Las Vegas police help kick out veterans’ group from downtown parade
Text of video below!
A group of veterans scheduled to march in the Veterans Day Parade were kicked out by organizers who claimed they were spreading a political message.
Some of the confrontation was caught on camera.
You can hear a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer say to a marcher, “I’m going to arrest you if you don’t leave the parade.”
The group is called Veterans For Peace, and they signed up to be in the parade.
It quickly became clear the organizers didn’t want them there, citing the group’s political agenda.
“Because of our message of peace and not war and not militarism, they decided we shouldn’t be in their parade,” said Michael Kerr of Veterans For Peace. Kerr was detained in the back of a police car for a short time and was ultimately let go.
“We’re totally non-political,” said Bill Stojack, the parade chair. “We have a rule that we strictly enforce.” Stojack says their parade permit gave the organizers the right to deny entry to the group.
When organizers had trouble deterring the marchers, they called Las Vegas police.
“I felt afraid and I didn’t know quite what to do,” said Caroline Davies of Veterans for Peace.
No one was arrested but it left both sides left with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Stojack accuses the group of misrepresenting themselves.
Kerr said the organizers should be ashamed.
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Veterans for Peace Blocked in Vegas Parade – by Nico Colombant
Veterans for Peace Kicked Out of Las Vegas Veterans Day parade – by Camu Camu The legally permitted Veterans for Peace were kicked out of the Veteran’s Day parade in Las Vegas. After the parade had begun, parade organizers told the group to leave. When they refused, the Las Vegas police department descended on the group, threatening arrest of the marchers and in some cases physically removing them from the parade. One veteran was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. Veterans for Peace is considering legal action against the city and the parade organizers for infringing upon their Constitutional free speech rights, as well as other violations.
Veterans being assaulted, threatened, and thrown out of the “Veteran’s Day” Parade that we were registered to be in (part one). by Kelly W. Patterson Police also threatened one of us with arrest.
Veterans being assaulted, threatened, and thrown out of the “Veteran’s Day” Parade that we were registered to be in (part two). Kelly W. Patterson Police also threatened one of us with arrest.
Las Vegas Veterans Day Parade Highlights 2016- excluding the Veterans For Peace
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VFP Members Attempt to March in Las Vegas Veterans Parade November 15, 2016 by Don KimballFriday, November 11th was Veterans Day. Originally Armistice Day, it was meant for remembering the horrors of WW1, the “War to End All Wars”. What we have today though it seems is a holiday that is just another three-day weekend, another opportunity for selling cars, and finally, to honor veterans. Well, most veterans here in Las Vegas anyway. A contingent of around 15, marching under the name Veterans For Peace in the Veterans Day parade were assaulted by parade organizers, bystanders and Las Vegas Metro. Our crime? Calling for an end to endless war. With banners and chants calling for peace, we proudly marched down the street remembering our pledge taken to defend and protect the Constitution. The First Amendment of that document guarantees all citizens freedom of speech. Except in the Las Vegas Veterans Day parade it seems.Halfway through the parade, organizers threatened by messages of peace surrounded us with motorcycles and golf carts. Like they were herding so much cattle, they aggressively tried to stop us. Unsuccessful, they called in Metro. Totally overreacting to the situation, officers approached us from behind with sirens blaring while the Cub Scouts marching in front of us looked on in disbelief. Officers then proceeded to tackle and arrest some of the peaceful marchers. Despite our pleas and our display of the permit to march granted to us that morning, we were forced to take to the sidewalk where bystanders ripped up one of our banners. Finally realizing their mistake, Metro released a veteran they had arrested. By now, the parade had ended and we returned home in shock and disbelief that we who had served had been treated with such disrespect and disdain. Shame on parade officials, Metro and the violent bystanders. Shame on Las Vegas. Shame on America.https://www.veteransforpeace.org/who-we-are/member-highlights/2016/11/15/vfp-members-attempt-march-las-vegas-veterans-parade
ACLU was Contacted Thank you for contacting the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada. We have received your online intake submission.
Please be advised that upon receiving your complaint it may take our office 4-6 weeks to review and make a decision as to whether or not we can provide assistance. To protect your rights, consult with an attorney. A list of referrals can be found on our website at www.aclunv.org/referral. You may wish to consider contacting the Nevada State Bar Lawyer Referral hotline at 1 (800) 789 – 5747. Additionally, Legal Aid Centers of Southern Nevada is known to offer pro-bono assistance for a variety of civil matters concerning family issues and you can reach their office at (702) 386 – 1070.
One Lawyer’s Response I read your email and also noticed that there have been contacts with the ACLU of Nevada. As I am no longer affiliated with that organization, I do not know what, if anything, they might do in the way of response to you. As for my own reaction, I am appalled at the way you treated. That being said, however, it does not appear that you have a very strong case. The United States Supreme Court has said that the Paris organizer does not have to allow groups to participate if those groups have a message different than the message of the organizers. As far as the police go, as bad as their behavior was, you thankfully suffered minimal damage. In other words, I don’t think there is a case to be made — at least not one that would justify the costs of pursuing it. The hardest part of my job as a lawyer is telling people that even though they may have been wronged, the system is not going to provide relief, and that I don’t see a way that I would be able to help them. Thank you for your service and your post military activism. I wish I could do more for you. Unfortunately, in this situation, it seems that the most I can do is give my honest opinion.
Complaint to Las Vegas Police Department Each complaint received by the Internal Affairs Bureau is thoroughly and impartially investigated. A recent complaint, regarding the conduct of a Department employee, has prompted an investigation. On February 14, 2017, you made a complaint with this office alleging misconduct of an employee of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. It is imperative that we get a complete statement or further information from you. This can be done by arranging a time to come into the Internal Affairs Bureau fora tape recorded interview, or by contacting Detective David Williams and providing the needed information in a handwritten, or typed, detailed statement (delivered, faxed, or mailed to our address of 400-A S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89106). If we are unable to obtain a statement from you by 02/28/17, this case may be completed without your full account of the incident. Please be assured that it is our desire to provide the best possible service at all times.
Other VFP – Veteran’s Day & Memorial Day Parades / Events
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