ACLU: Miami Beach cops arrest people for recording police misconduct

[one...two...tree 2,762]

'We're sick of all the f***ing fags in the neighborhood,' cops allegedly told gay man

Miami Beach has long had a reputation for being a refuge for gay Americans, but if the ACLU's allegations against the city prove true, people who live alternative lifestyles may want to think twice about retiring to the vibrant little community just off the coast of southern Florida.

The ACLU's Florida chapter says it plans to sue the Miami Beach Police Department after a gay visitor to the city was beaten and arrested by police when he tried to call 911 to report the police beating of another gay man.

According to the NBC affiliate in Miami, Harold Strickland says he was harassed, verbally assaulted and wrongfully arrested in March, 2009, when he called 911 after witnessing two police officers kicking a handcuffed gay man in Miami Beach's Flamingo Park.

Strickland says the officers, identified as Frankly Forte and Elliot Hazzi, were kicking the suspect "like his head was a football." When the officers saw Strickland making a call on a nearby pay phone, Strickland says one officer came up to him and said, "We know what you're doing here. We're sick of all the ###### fags in the neighborhood."

The officers arrested Strickland and continued to barrage him with homophobic epithets, NBC Miami reports.

"Often, police target gay men walking near Flamingo Park for nothing more than looking 'too gay'," Robert Rosenwald, director of the Florida ACLU's LGBT Advocacy Project, said in a statement. "When police officers become the problem rather than the solution, the City needs to take action."

In a letter (PDF) sent to Miami Beach Mayor Matti Harrera Bower on Wednesday, the ACLU said Miami Beach police "also have an alarming history of arresting individuals, particularly African-American men and women, who witness police misconduct."

The ACLU says it has received reports of Miami Beach officers threatening to arrest witnesses of police misconduct and even tearing out cellphone SIM cards belonging to people who photographed police arrests.

"All people have a clear constitutional right and a civic duty to report police misconduct," said Ray Taseff, an attorney working with the ACLU. "When police start arresting people for reporting police misconduct, the public's faith in law enforcement suffers."

According to Carlos Santoscoy at OnTopMag, the officers who arrested Strickland claimed in their police report that Strickland had been "prowling" Flamingo Park and approached their squad car before fleeing when he realized there was an officer inside.

But Santoscoy reports that Strickland's recorded 911 call "conflicts" with the arresting officers' claims, as the officers can be heard on the 911 call confronting Strickland after he had reported what he had allegedly seen.

The ACLU is calling on Mayor Bower to discipline the two officers involved.

link

[Ali G. 37]

I smell bullshit..

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I smell bullshit..

Have you checked your pants?

[Ali G. 37]

Have you checked your pants?

No, I saw it in your post. Single anecdotal incident equals "OMG the police are targeting the gayz".

I was thinking about you the other day when I saw an advert regarding Black history. You have called me a racist and been on anything relating to racism against blacks for years as I recall. So it was really interesting to hear them say "Black is beautiful, black is powerful, black is smart, black is unique". It was in a commercial on TV channel, promoting black history month. Gezz that's not racist is it. Fuckwits..

Anyways, insert white into that commercial and talk about the millions of actual intelligence-oriented achievements of Caucasians. Sh-t man, you would be crying murder and demand the station's managers be executed.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Booyah

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No, I saw it in your post. Single anecdotal incident equals "OMG the police are targeting the gayz".

So you think these gay men are making it up?

[Ali G. 37]

So you think these gay men are making it up?

The actions of one police officer does not warrant the ACLU to sue the entire police department for money. Evidently certain left wing groups here seem to forget that when disingenuous groups like the ACLU sue the government (school, police, county, city) they are suing we the people, for their own financial gain. They are not suing an Exxon and so on. But anyhow, it's common knowledge abroad that the US is run by the courts rather than the people. Another example of this: The moronic parent who is suing NYC schools because her son took a toy gun to school and was asked to come to the office. Can 'we the people' sue negligent parents? Wrong! That's protected under 'freedom of choice'.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The actions of one police officer does not warrant the ACLU to sue the entire police department for money. Evidently certain left wing groups here seem to forget that when disingenuous groups like the ACLU sue the government (school, police, county, city) they are suing we the people, for their own financial gain. They are not suing an Exxon and so on. But anyhow, it's common knowledge abroad that the US is run by the courts rather than the people. Another example of this: The moronic parent who is suing NYC schools because her son took a toy gun to school and was asked to come to the office. Can 'we the people' sue negligent parents? Wrong! That's protected under 'freedom of choice'.

Police officers are representing the law. They aren't simply hired guns...wearing the badge means something. The lawsuit isn't for monetary gain, but to shed light on a problem that the police department needs to address more effectively - bigoted police officers abusing their power and tainting the badge.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Galt's gallstones

[Ali G. 37]

Police officers are representing the law. They aren't simply hired guns...wearing the badge means something. The lawsuit isn't for monetary gain, but to shed light on a problem that the police department needs to address more effectively - bigoted police officers abusing their power and tainting the badge.

Bullcrap. Anyways, who made the ACLU commander and chief of America?

The ACLU sues schools, police, cities, counties and states for millions. Sorry dude but this is solely for their own financial gain. Also why the majority of the ACLU's lawsuits would not permissible and thrown out in most first world countries. Furthermore, hence them being first world and having a higher standard of living than that of he United States. After being here for four plus years, some clearly actually think the world would seize if the ACLU was not around.

I guess when they are not suing to protect the rights and freeeeeeeedom of Child molesters, police and schools are the next easy target.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Booyah

[The_Dude 1,142]

No, I saw it in your post. Single anecdotal incident equals "OMG the police are targeting the gayz".

I was thinking about you the other day when I saw an advert regarding Black history. You have called me a racist and been on anything relating to racism against blacks for years as I recall. So it was really interesting to hear them say "Black is beautiful, black is powerful, black is smart, black is unique". It was in a commercial on TV channel, promoting black history month. Gezz that's not racist is it. Fuckwits..

Anyways, insert white into that commercial and talk about the millions of actual intelligence-oriented achievements of Caucasians. Sh-t man, you would be crying murder and demand the station's managers be executed.

Hmmmm someone using anecdotal evidence to prove a point, sounds like half of your posts on here BY. I call you a racist, because you say racist things. If you don't actually believe in what you say, well then I suppose that's your personal problem.

I do have to agree though, that this smells kind of like bullsh!t. If you only knew the volume of BS complaints you see against the police. Most of the time, the complaints are only even submitted by attorney's because they want to fill their obligation to do everything for their client so as not to have a client come back and say "my lawyer didn't do everything he could".

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Bullcrap. Anyways, who made the ACLU commander and chief of America?

The ACLU sues schools, police, cities, counties and states for millions. Sorry dude but this is solely for their own financial gain. Also why the majority of the ACLU's lawsuits would not permissible and thrown out in most first world countries. Furthermore, hence them being first world and having a higher standard of living than that of he United States. After being here for four plus years, some clearly actually think the world would seize if the ACLU was not around.

I guess when they are not suing to protect the rights and freeeeeeeedom of Child molesters, police and schools are the next easy target.

In your opinion, what would be a justifiable case of suing a police department?

[The_Dude 1,142]

In your opinion, what would be a justifiable case of suing a police department?

If the officers of Miami are indeed saying and doing what they are accused of, then that is a legitimate basis for a lawsuit. But it's the manner in which this is being presented, and tried through the media that smells.

[Ali G. 37]

Hmmmm someone using anecdotal evidence to prove a point, sounds like half of your posts on here BY. I call you a racist, because you say racist things. If you don't actually believe in what you say, well then I suppose that's your personal problem.

I do have to agree though, that this smells kind of like bullsh!t. If you only knew the volume of BS complaints you see against the police. Most of the time, the complaints are only even submitted by attorney's because they want to fill their obligation to do everything for their client so as not to have a client come back and say "my lawyer didn't do everything he could".

So you are saying then that a commercial hyping up one particular race based on skin color is not racist?

All I have ever asked regarding race in America is why Caucasians are not allowed to say or do the same thing as black Americans? That is, why don't the same rules and exceptions apply to all? For example, I have no problem with black comedians joking on whites. Truth is, we do act differently and some things we say or do are funny to others. No problem with that at all.

The problem I have is the second I attempt to joke on black Americans, then it's racists, bigoted, ignorant etc etc etc. In essence, people are saying that someone who is black and American can say and do anything, while someone white cannot; which is racist itself.

[The_Dude 1,142]

So you are saying then that a commercial hyping up one particular race based on skin color is not racist?

All I have ever asked regarding race in America is why Caucasians are not allowed to say or do the same thing as black Americans? That is, why don't the same rules and exceptions apply to all? For example, I have no problem with black comedians joking on whites. Truth is, we do act differently and some things we say or do are funny to others. No problem with that at all.

The problem I have is the second I attempt to joke on black Americans, then it's racists, bigoted, ignorant etc etc etc. In essence, people are saying that someone who is black and American can say and do anything, while someone white cannot; which is racist itself.

The problem is, your "jokes" are at the expense of minorities. Maybe that is what is acceptable from your upbringing, but not mine. Before you make a crack along the lines that I'm some deluded, sheltered American who has never seen beyond his own borders, you can save it, i grew up in 4 different countries at various points in time.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I have two problems with this story.

1. Pay phone? They still exist?

2. Pictures on a SIM card. Boy, people are stupid.

Oh.... #### the police.

[Ali G. 37]

In your opinion, what would be a justifiable case of suing a police department?

The only time you would be able to sue the police in most industrialized nations is when there was actual negligence. For example, due to gross misconduct, you are sentenced to prison for a few years. Or you are wrongfully beaten by the police. Most international courts apply common sense to rulings. After all, the police are there to serve and protect. They should not have to fear being sued or setup to be sued, like someone setting up a cop for money. It's the same deal in schools, where teachers need to fear being setup, while another student conveniently has their phone to record the whole 'incident'.

When there is genuine misconduct, the police should be fired, however, I just don't buy such stories. Police don't just crack and beat people up for no reason. In the majority of such incidents, they are usually pushed to the limit by folks who think they are above the law or simply up to no good. If someone was overbearingly harassing your spouse, you too would eventually have enough and crack. It's human nature.

I know a few cops and they are good honest people, with many axillary (volunteering for free), and putting their life on the line to serve the community. I'll be damned if they are trampled on by some disingenuous group like the ACLU. The ACLU is first to protect the rights of criminals but much like Jesse Jackson, never to be seen when it comes to victims and their families lives being destroyed because police are not allowed to do their job. It's the same story played out all over America. It's also why organized crime has been able to flourish so easily in the United States of crime.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Booyah