Suppressing Freedom of Speech in America

THE INCIDENT:

On 17 September 2007 US Senator John Kerry addressed a Constitution Day forum at the University of Florida. During this forum Andrew Meyer, a 21-year-old undergraduate, asked three questions that were not moderated (approved) beforehand. University police removed Meyer from the forum, restraining him and electrically stunning him with a Taser gun.

After the incident, Meyer was arrested for inciting a riot, charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, and taken to Alachua County Jail. Police recommended charges of resisting arrest with violence, a felony, and disturbing the peace and interfering with school administrative functions, a misdemeanor.

There was (and still is) a huge debate over whether this incident was an attack on the First Amendment to the US Constitution. However, no matter how much the above incident is debated, the undeniable fact remains that US citizens are losing their constitutional rights on a continuous basis...whether they are publicly tricked into this via a USA PATRIOT Act, unconsciously maniputulated to conforming via the media, or politically and financially bullied and threatened to comply with those in power. The manner in which Meyer was handled during (and prosecuted after) this incident serves as a clear warning to anyone daring to ask truth-seeking questions.


MY ISSUES:

1. Although the rules of the forum were rightfully broken by Meyer, was that enough reason for the police to react so violently? The irony is that the police recommended Meyer be charged with resisting arrest with violence. Watch the video and decide for yourself whether he acted more violent than the six police officers who jumped on him.

2. If non-moderated questions are not allowed at forums like these, how can politicians ever be confronted with the real issues? Staging forums in politically controlled environments surely does not facilitate freedom of speech in a democratic country.


ANDREW MEYERS QUESTIONS:

1. There were multiple reports of disenfranchising of black voters on the day of the election in 2004. There was also voting machines, electronic voting machines in Volusia County, Florida that counted backwards. So, amidst all these reports of phony, bogus stuff going on, how could you concede the 2004 election on the day? In this book, it says there were five million votes that were suppressed and you won the election. Didn't you want to be President?

2. If you were so against (attacking) Iran, how come you are not saying "let's impeach George W. Bush"? Impeach Bush now before he can invade Iran! Why won't we impeach him? Clinton was impeached, for what...a blow job? Why don't we impeach Bush?

3. Were you a member of Skull and Bones in college with Bush? Were you in the same secret society as Bush?

Meyer's microphone was cut off before he could complete the last question.


RESPONSE BY RON SACHS:


In 1971, as editor of the University of Florida student newspaper, Ron Sachs was arrested for publishing a list of abortion referral services in violation of state law. As a result of his case, the law was declared unconstitutional. He serves as living proof of the power of freedom of speech. Watch his response to the Andrew Meyer incident.