Apparently speaking truth to power is no longer allowed in MD when it comes to schools either…
Baltimore Sun is reporting the dad was charged with One charge, 2nd degree assault of a police officer, max. sentence of 10 years. The other (“disturbing a school operation”) carries a max. sentence of 6 months. So combined is a max. of 10 1/2 years… for questioning a school offiicial and refusing to be silenced. Doesn’t 2nd degree assault requires the person to have caused physical injury to someone else?
A parent in Towson, Md., was arrested Thursday night at a public forum after vocally expressing his concerns about the Baltimore County School District’s plan to use Common Core standards in its curriculum.
Robert Small, a concerned father, was forcefully removed from the meeting by a police officer after he interrupted Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance during the question-and-answer portion of the forum.
Full article and video HERE.
I guess since he can’t be defined by Sen Feinsteins description of a journalist, he no longer has 1st amendment rights. And I don’t see anything that realistically constitutes 2nd degree assault either!
This is outrageous
Way back in the day, when I carried a badge, “assault” was the threat of physical violence. Battery was actual physical contact. Then the lawyers started playing around with the meanings and definitions … and you can see the results.
As a dad, he already has no rights to due process, why would free speech be any different?
And when the members of the school board come up for re-election, they will be. We piss and moan about such things and not nearly enough stand up. If there had been 6 or 7 men in that meeting that had balls, that cop would have been found at the curb in his own handcuffs. But then, I’m a bit of a hardass that way. One commenter had it right, If your going to jail anyway, might as well get your 2500 dollars and 10 years worth.
I think an extreme injustice was done. However, should he get his hands on a bang up lawyer, perhaps he can own the school district.
+1 Robert Fowler
In Louisiana, at least, Rev Paul’s explination is correct. If I SAY I’m gonna kick your ass, that’s assault. If I ACTUALLY kick your ass, that’s battery, with varying degrees depending on intent, ability, and if you are armed or not.
Disturbing.
And despicable.
gfa
Rick- That it is!!!
Rev- Didn’t know that, thanks.
Suz- Probably right… sigh
Robert/WSF- Good point!
Momma- Yeah, agree!
DLG- Didn’t know that, or didn’t remember it…
gfa- Concur!
more info about the incident here and a little extra commentary here and here