Fat Cops hate Dancing!

[Frank R.]

Ok if you go back far enough in history, of course you will eventually find something that wouldn't apply with today's laws. This specific case is recent and if you bothered to read the facts on the case you would see that those hippies were wrong. Yes we have the first amendment; however, we all know there will always be limitations to that. In black and white, here are the regulations for the National Capital Region:

"[d]emonstrations and special events may be held only pursuant to a permit . . . .” 36 C.F.R. § 7.96(g)(2). “Demonstrations” include: picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils or religious services and all other like forms of conduct which involve the communication or expression of views or grievances, engaged in by one or more persons, the conduct of which has the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd or onlookers. [The] term does not include casual park use by visitors or tourists which does not have an intent or propensity to attract a crowd or onlookers."

Regardless of opinion or what you feel; this is the law and it has to be enforced. It's simple to anybody with an unbiased look at things and a little common sense.

[Eric Perez]

If you want to dance go to a nightclub

[Kevin Sparks]

They didn't get locked up for dancing. They got a warning for dancing. They got locked up for disorderly conduct.

"Disorderly conduct offenses vary widely by state. Here are some of the most common acts that are considered disorderly conduct offenses:
Public drunkenness
Inciting a riot
disturbance of the peace
loitering in certain areas
fighting / physical altercations
obstructing traffic
use of extremely obscene or abusive language
loud or unreasonable noise
etc...

Given the wide range of behaviors that could constitute disorderly conduct, a person may be arrested for this crime without proper cause. Virtually any socially offensive or disruptive conduct may be prosecuted as disorderly conduct.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful when I say this but with this outlook, that many people seem to share in this country is the reason, we as people will never taste true freedom ever again. People no longer use their common sense. People would rather accept the shit sandwich given to them, rather than fight the system for what our four father's wanted us to have. FREEDOM! What sort of threat were these people in your opinion? Be honest, if you were walking by them, would you feel threatened?

[Stewart Landry]

I'm not agreeing with the people who wanted to have a "dance off" as a demonstration. I'm agreeing with the police.

It may have been foolish to push the cops like they obviously did. But the law sucks and they asked what law they were breaking and what the charge would be... the police answered with you've been warned.... how bout a non asshole answer from them as well like "disturbing the peace"or whatever law that it is that they were breaking. I have to think that the average Joe wouldnt assume that Dancing would be illegal, I wouldnt assume it was.... I think that there was some wrong on both sides, but just because you have authority doesnt make it right to abuse it either. The police had a very ÿou'll do it cuz we are the police"attitude ...