I found this PDF at Big Whack Attack and felt it needed to be spread around...
Protecting Pride Events from Armed Extremist Activity
It's not a long read and has many links and references. Here are some excerpts...
Private paramilitary groups have no authority to detain, attack, or attempt to police drag performers or gender-nonconforming persons at Pride events.
What types of activities by armed extremists are considered unlawful?
State and federal laws prohibit violence against Pride participants. But state laws also prohibit private paramilitary activity, even where it does not involve physical violence against a targeted person or persons. All 50 states prohibit private, unauthorized militias from engaging in activities reserved for the official state militia (for example, the National Guard), including law enforcement activities. Nearly every state constitution prohibits groups functioning as military units from operating outside the authority of the state government. Dozens of state statutes prohibit groups of people from organizing as private military units without governmental authorization; dozens of state statutes criminalize paramilitary activity; and many states prohibit the false assumption of law enforcement duties and/or the wearing of uniforms confusingly similar to military uniforms.10 State-specific fact sheets from ICAP are available here for further reference.
This means that armed groups that self-deploy to Pride events and stake out tactical positions, operate in military-style formations, or purport to engage in law enforcement functions like policing, patrolling crowds, or protecting property, are likely in violation of state law. Armed extremists who attempt to intimidate others or perform law enforcement functions may also be violating state laws.
(This is a screenshot so the blue links DO NOT work.)
If you are an organizer or a participant, these are good things to know! STAY SAFE!
OMG ! How sad are all those situations in RED states like in Florida.
ReplyDeleteUSA land of freedom is no more proving it is that safe country for ALL of its population.
You have to be conform with Evangelicals view of what is right and wrong.
Now that some are such polarized and so many guns and mass shooting weapons are in free circulation all around, nothing good can happen...
Thank God, I live in Canada.
PS. I remember in February 2002 visiting South Carolina with my then BF.
Stopping at a restaurant in Mirtle Beach, it was obvious that our waiter was gay by the way he looked to us.
Never we felt safe to show that we were a gay couple and all over there was so many Christian radio channels.
So now, with all what is going on in USA I really want to go and visit my gay friends in USA.
PS.2 Many countries like Canada, New Zeland etc are advising their people that going to visit USA is a very dangerous and hazardous trip to do.
I suspect that these paramilitary groups are NOT thinking that they are breaking any laws as THEY perceive they are protecting the USA against local harm. As minor as any harm might really be, just that they have ballooned it all out of proportion, themselves. Just by their presence, they tend to be "terrorists" themselves, while being constitutionally protected to assemble as they might desire. Just as the KKK assembled to do their things, with just themselves and their target to know what really happened.
ReplyDeleteThey also seem to be driven to be martyrs, so prison time does not scare them. BUT who is motivating them, for any "pay-off" for their activities? To me, it seems that they are just insecure beings wanting to "belong" somewhere, with that "somewhere" being in the paramilitary groups. It gives them a superior sense of belonging and successfully contributing to society. Even gain praise from Trump in the process. At what personal cost to themselves, family, or friends?
It is sad and sick the repubs have taken our country here.
ReplyDeleteGet rid of them!