"He has the right to speak," said the cop to the banker

[EFerrari]

Like most bullies, the banks are cowards. They talk a big game, but if confronted with their crimes, they run for cover and go whining to "mommy".

Today, I walked up and down a sidewalk, in front of a branch of Chase and a branch of BofA. I handed out about 250 flyers () during lunch hour.

TL;DR - I handed out flyers. The bankers panicked and called their private security people, then more private security and finally the cops. That's when they found out that they didn't have a leg to stand on

Here's the story...

http://www.reddit.com/r/occupywallstreet/comments/ly9vk/he_has_the_right_to_speak_said_the_cop_to_the/

[Matariki]

1. That was GREAT!

BofABoss: "What, are you working for the credit union?"
MB: "No Sir, they work for me, unlike your bank that works for investors and shareholders"
BofABoss: "Get a job!"
MB: "I have a job. I run a company. I created 17 jobs in the last 5 years, while you were blowing up the economy. How many jobs did you destroy?"
BofABoss: "Well go do your job then"
MB: "Right now, my job is telling your customers that your bank is run by crooks" BofABoss: "We'll see about that"

:rofl:

Favorite comment: "I like you... you have balls. I like balls."

[Liberty Belle]

2. I love this part of the story:

BofABoss comes out with a triumphant smirk. Officer1 turns to him:

"He has the right to speak and the right to hand out flyers. Unless he blocks you or causes a disturbance, he has the right to be here - please don't call the police again if he is not bothering you. If you don't like free speech you should move to another country"

MY JAW IS ON THE FLOOR.

The banker turns bright red and storms back inside.

[Remember Me]

6. Ooooo, spoken like a true 99%er. I like it! n/t

[EFerrari]

10. Whoever wrote this is a professional so I'm not sure it happened.

But whether it happened or not or whether some version of it happened, it's an interesting idea for a protest. I wouldn't go anywhere like that alone though, because it just puts you on enemy territory with no witnesses.

[Leopolds Ghost]

21. Do you mean it might be fictional?

[EFerrari]

32. Yes or it could be embroidered. nt

[sakabatou]

35. The Occupy movement has been ponified?

[SemperEadem]

39. in the absense of any proof to your allegations that it's false or a lie

I'd rather believe it.

Even some of the OWS supporters can write in complete sentences.

[Pacifist Patriot]

45. I've found this is not unusual around here.

Unfortunately, being able to convey events in a grammatically correct and entertaining manner can be construed as disseminating falsehoods or engaging in embellishment. Apparently it's a handicap to be able to write these days. :eyes:

[EFerrari]

52. I'd say it's a greater handicap to be unable to read critically.

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. I'm actually commenting on other occasions when it has happened.

It really is not unusual around here I'm afraid.

[EFerrari]

56. What has happened? Careful reading?

Yes, there are a number of people here who read well.

[EFerrari]

51. Um, I didn't allege it was false or a lie.

And there is a big difference between writing in complete sentences and professional writing.

[Pacifist Patriot]

54. Agreeing that it might be fictional or embellished is not alleging it to be false?

Perhaps there is something wrong with my reading comprehension skills.

[EFerrari]

55. Yep. Saying it might be fiction is not saying it is fiction.

[Pacifist Patriot]

57. Questioning veracity based upon someone's ability to write well...

is simply bizarre. You and I both know what I'm talking about so the cute word play doesn't quite pass muster, but nice try. Take care.

[EFerrari]

59. Not at all. Being able to identify an author by reading their work

is a skill.

And what you are calling "cute word play" is using English accurately.

This piece, which I posted because I thought it had value beyond the question of literal veracity, may be a sub-genre of a folkloric form. But essentially it has these features:

An aggrieved person
is in a public place
and is engaged by the agent of his/her wrongs

The aggrieved person overcomes
that agent's arguments
with his/her wit and ingenuity
and the wrongdoer retreats in shame.

There, now you can write one if you want to. :)

[SemperEadem]

60. I'm still waiting on your proof

so far, I haven't seen any.

The declaration, "Whoever wrote this is a professional so I'm not sure it happened."

Since you're so certain that it "did not happen" and was "written by a professional", I want to see the proof that you are right. That's really not hard to do. Bluster isn't proof.

[EFerrari]

61. I didn't say "it didn't happen" so you are misquoting, aren't you?

And I've no intention of analyzing this piece for you. But thanks for taking the thread off topic.

[SemperEadem]

62. You said

Whoever wrote this is a professional so I'm not sure it happened.

You have deduced a falsehood has been advanced based upon a declaration you made, for which you have no proof.

You did not say "I have a feeling that something is amiss with this because this sounds to me as if it might have been written by someone hired to professionally write it". That would have been speculation, and you're well within reason to advance speculation. But that's not what this is. This is a declaration on your part.

You made a declarative statement of fact with no proof to back said fact up and now, after you've been challenged, you expect those of us who challenge the veracity of what you write to take your word at face value with no proof to back it up.

No.

That won't be happening. Cough up some proof first, then I'll decide whether or not it merits my belief.

[EFerrari]

63. Nope. I didn't "deduce a falsehood". I said I didn't know if it was fiction or not.

More, I decided it wasn't important if it was fiction or embellishment or not. A decision which seems to be eluding you. :)

[LiberalAndProud]

64. By what measure is this a "professional" piece?

If a person can put a coherent account of his experiences in writing, he must be a professional? While walking around in his suite, no less.

I think you may be a touch too cynical.

[EFerrari]

65. No, it's not cynicism but training. n/t

[Elsewheres Grandson]

14. Move to Russia, BofAss

They're running low on corrupt oligarchs I hear.

[Mnemosyne]

17. Welcome, Elsewheres Grandson! So terribly sorry for the loss of your mother.

:hug:

[FailureToCommunicate]

27. Welcome to DU. Though tough reason to be here, I hope you'll stay

Sorry to hear about your mom.

[beac]

34. .

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

Now THAT'S good policing!

[fascisthunter]

37. perfect... smug over-entitled prick weasel got a nice smackdown!

[sabrina 1]

40. That was one good cop who understands what this country is

about. I hope the Banker doesn't cause him to lose his job.

:applause:

[Pirate Smile]

3. That's awesome.

[stevedeshazer]

4. Now THAT'S how it is done.

+1, thanks, E.

[silverweb]

5. Bravo!

Well done! Let's hope this is the template for many, many more activists.

:applause:

[azul]

7. Said the cop to the banker.

Hands up, and assume the position.

[lonestarnot]

8. Best story I've read all day!

[MannyGoldstein]

9. FANTASTIC. Maybe I'll try that, too. nt

[EFerrari]

11. If you do, don't go alone. Take a buddy. nt

[woo me with science]

12. And a camera. nt

[EFerrari]

13. Yep. There are cameras you can wear that cost under $100.

lol

:)

[Kaleko]

44. Reddit has published an new version of the flyer to avoid legal issues

that might arise if the original is distributed.

"EDIT: New flyer with larger font for seniors, more specific accusations, less libel liability, disclaimer. Released into public domain, download PDF and PNG here: http://www.mediafire.com/?eq3grh3b338m5 "

[pacalo]

15. What the police officer told the big shot was priceless!

:applause:

[sarge43]

18. Yup. He hasn't forgotten who brought him to the dance.

I liked the recommendations to send a letter to the PD thanking those officers.

Particularly liked the cop telling the bankster to stop bothering the PD with trivia. :thumbsup:

[DirkGently]

16. Wow, what a great story +++++!

[Nye Bevan]

19. One of the best things about the USA: the right to free speech,

just as much a right for the guy handing out fliers as for the banker in his $3000 suit. In many countries the demonstrator would have been hauled away, or worse.

It's good to live in a country where the little people count too.

[ret5hd]

23. Well, not exactly as much right, now that money is speech.

The banker (in your example) has so many "speech units" that he can use 3000 of them to acquire a suit and still have more "speech units" than the next 10 of us put together.

[Nye Bevan]

24. Didn't help him in this case (nt)

[ret5hd]

25. He does his "speaking" thru a lobbyist...where your speech won't help you.

[whathehell]

20. LOVE IT !!....Go on with your bad self, Officer Good Dude!!

[in_cog_ni_to]

22. :) How great is that? Freaking out two banks at the same time.

:rofl::rofl:

Poor little banks aren't going to know what hit them come November 5, 2011! :rofl:

[NeedleCast]

26. Recommended

[Octafish]

28. The bank is run by CROOKS!

Thank you, EFerrari. Outstanding work, yours, in every way.

[DebJ]

29. Awesome cop! He should get a reward!

[Quantess]

30. At first I guessed you were quoting Bob Dylan lyrics.

LOL!
And here I was, ready to reply with David Bowie "the cop kneels at the feet of a priest and the queer threw up at the sight of that"

Anyway, Great news! I love to kick this thread!

[lsewpershad]

31. Great job

Wish I were there with you. Keep up the good work.

[snooper2]

33. The OP didn't actually "walk up and down the sidewalk"

Just posted some verbiage and a link to a story on a random website someone wrote.

Video would be better :)

[Gore1FL]

36. Thanks for sharing this! n/t

[defendandprotect]

38. kr

[louslobbs]

41. Fantastic......I love it when We the People, the ones who have the real power, take it to those

who have the perceived power because of their wealth and name recognition. Call 911, someone is out in front of our business passing out flyers.....lol....what a bunch of wusses lol... K&R.
Lou

[aquart]

42. Today I love you.

May your dinner be delicious and your rest refreshing.

[malaise]

43. K & EffingR

:yourock:

[mod mom]

46. Loved it!!

:woohoo:

[markpkessinger]

47. Congratulations and thank you!

And kudos to the Daly City police department their was (and correct) response!

[ZombieHorde]

48. I have been needing to read something about police and #OWS that does not entail violence.

Thank for posting. Recommended.

[The Wielding Truth]

49. Did he say something about "mall security"? If so he is on private

property.If it were in a city the side walk would be public but if not I don't think he was safe. Even though the cop allowed him, it seems a little off to me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_space
Non-government-owned malls are examples of 'private space' with the appearance of being 'public space'.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

50. I'm going to Vegas on Saturday. That'll likely close my account.

[aquamarina]

58. BofABoss comes out with a triumphant smirk...

Officer1 turns to him:

"He has the right to speak and the right to hand out flyers. Unless he blocks you or causes a disturbance, he has the right to be here - please don't call the police again if he is not bothering you. If you don't like free speech you should move to another country"

MY JAW IS ON THE FLOOR.

The banker turns bright red and storms back inside.

AWESOME!