Finally, six months after my unjust, uncalled for, unsubstantiated arrest in Huntington Park, the LA County District Attorney received a criminal package from the Huntington Park Police Department regarding the June 6th, 2017 arrest.
This has gone from crazy to insane.
Who would have thought that a police department would play tag with a suspect regarding their arrest and potential prosecution? Other well-known, well-seasoned activists have told me that such antics from the police in connection with arrests have never happened to them, and they had never heard of such things.
I was initially arrested for disturbing a public meeting and refusing to obey the lawful order of a police officer. The two major problems with these charges are manifold, not the least of which is that I did not disrupt the meeting or defy a lawful order. Police officers cannot simply tell members of the audience to leave a city council meeting or other public government board meeting.
What a joke, and now the DA has no reason to justify going after me, since what basis did the police officers have for arresting me? Because I refused to leave meeting for which I had a right to attend?
This is ridiculous. I wanted to purse a motion to dismiss, but for now we are going to allow all the evidence to fall into place. For some reason, my case was an add-on, which meant that I was one of the last arraignments to take place in Department 6 at Downey Courthouse.
It's OK, though, since I could sit at ease and rest the whole time. I was joined by four supporters of mine, and many other people in our team and around the country have been following the work that I do and the effectiveness which all of us have.
Despite these formal charges, I look forward to asserting my rights and demonstrating my cause in court.
Thanks for watching, sharing, and following. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions:
Arthur Schaper
arthurschaper@hotmail.com