(GA) Capitol Police Aim to Block Media Coverage of 24 Arrests on Moral Monday

http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/interspire/news/2014/02/12/capitol-police-aim-to-block-media-coverage-of-24-arrests-on-moral-monday-%28update-1%29.html

Capitol Police Aim to Block Media Coverage of 24 Arrests on Moral Monday (UPDATE 1)
Written By: GLORIA TATUM2-12-2014

(APN) ATLANTA -- On Monday, February 10, 2014, twenty-four activists were arrested during the third “Moral Monday” protest at the Georgia State Capitol. Numerous news organizations attempted to cover the arrests, but were blocked by what, by all accounts, appears to have been an intentional collaboration between the Capitol Police and the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).



It is the job of Capitol Police and the GSP to enforce the laws in the promotion of public safety. However, taxpayer dollars are apparently being used to fund these organizations in the furtherance of protecting the public image of the State Legislature, as if these officers were so many public relations agents.

Twenty-four people walked into State Sen. Jesse Stone's (R-Waynesboro) office, in the Coverdell Building, to discuss their desire to repeal Georgia's Stand Your Ground law.

Sen. Stone offered to meet with two of the protesters with no cameras present. The group, however, requested he meet with everyone.

"We will not leave until we meet with the Senator and he reverses his position on SB 280," Tim Franzen, with American Friends Service Committee Southeastern Regional Office, said.

Stoner stayed in his office, while his office called the Capitol Police.

One large and tall police officer [photographed herein] told the group to "Shut Up!"

The Moral Monday group continued to sing, "This Little Light of Mine."

"We are here as moral witnesses. You are not going to intimidate us, you are not going to holler at us, you are not going to treat us like children," Rev. Timothy McDonald of the First Iconium Baptist Church told the officer.



As the arrests started, the Capitol Police along with GSP forced, under threat of arrest, most of the media to move far down the hall, even though press credentials were in obvious view.

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