Activists Plan Second Dance Protest At Jefferson Memorial

June 1, 2011 @ 5:43PM

Activists Plan Second Dance Protest At Jefferson Memorial

First dance protest ended in five arrests

By Carlos Miller -...

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Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the Jefferson Memorial.

Only it might get you arrested.

And if you try videotaping the arrests, that will also get you arrested. Well, that one shouldn’t surprise us.

But dancing?

There is actually a law in the books that forbids dancing in the Jefferson Memorial. And no, this is not one of those stupid laws that remained intact from the 19^th century that never go enforced.

This one does get enforced as five activists learned last Saturday.

But videos of the arrests – which include police body slamming and choke-holding one of the dancers - have gone viral.

And now these same activists are planning another dance at the Jefferson Memorial this Saturday.

So I imagine the U.S. Park Police will prepare for the dance by donning riot gear and bringing out the dogs.

If it weren’t so absurd, this would have the makings of a great Broadway musical.

Organized by Adam Kokesh, an Iraq War veteran turned activist, last Saturday’s dance was actually a protest against a recent ruling by a U.S. Federal Court that upheld a ban on dancing, even silent dancing, after another group of activists were arrested in 2008.

Kokesh – whom I wrote about in 2008 after he was handcuffed for trying to photograph police – has a huge following.

He even has his own TV show.

And he’s been hyping the hell out of this Saturday’s planned dance at the Jefferson Memorial by promoting a video contest.

All you have to do to enter is create a video that promotes this Saturday’s dance. You don’t even have to live in D.C. to do that.

So far, there have been almost 20 entries, including one of those “Hitler finds out …” videos.

A Facebook page promoting this Saturday’s dance has drawn more than 2,400 guests who say they will attend.

But most, like myself, will be there only in spirit because geographical distances won’t allow us to actually attend.

The dance protest will place police in an interesting position because they are still obliged to enforce the law, which as stupid as it sounds, forbids silent dancing.

But police are already coming under heavy criticism for their heavy-handed behavior and are being investigated internally for their actions.

And even though it is technically illegal to dance at the Jefferson Memorial, I seriously doubt there are any laws that forbid cameras. That probably wouldn’t go too well with tourists.

But at 2:25 in the above video, a cop tells a videographer that he is not allowed to record inside the memorial.

Jefferson, of course, is probably rolling over in his grave.

Comments

Jim

11 months ago

Taking pics when there is nothing saying you cannot take pics, that is fine.

However there is a law, and no matter how stupid it may be it is still a law. Dancing there is against the law, anyone who attends solely to dance and break the law is a jackass.

attend a few public meetings, get a bill put in to have the rather stupid law repealed then dance all you want.

Happy Tinfoil Cat

11 months ago

It's called civil disobedience, and it's not stupid. I wish Jefferson were alive today to slap some sense into the Supreme Court.

Jim

11 months ago

Civil disobedience on something which stops the public from enjoying a basic civil right is usually understood.

In this case it is being done to try and bring light to the law, yet I see no mention of any attempts to have he law removed legally.

Try the legal method, then escalate as needed.

hhamlet

11 months ago

"Try the legal method, then escalate as needed."

You mean.... like Thomas Jefferson did?

Sorry. No one has the authority to supersede the Constitution. Especially at the Jefferson Memorial, that last time I checked belonged TO THE PEOPLE.

Jim

11 months ago

You may wish to brush up on your constitutional law.
As much as you and I may not like it many constitutionally protected freedoms are being squashed daily.
For Example, Patriot Act.

hhamlet

11 months ago

Doesn't mean we have to take it lying down as you suggest.

Jim

11 months ago

I suggest nothing of the sort.
I was recently fired from my job as I pointed out that I was in fact not an independent contractor and was technically and legally an employee. When they did nothing I contacted the IRS, then I got fired.
I have no issue standing up for my rights, even to the detriment of myself it seems. But do it the correct way.

Follow the law, get it changed or get it rewritten correctly, then go dance all you want.

hhamlet

11 months ago

That is OUR monument. Our Constitution.

LAND OF THE FREE. HOME OF THE BRAVE.

Dance on you magnificent bastards!!!!!

Kyle

11 months ago

Breaking dumb laws intentionally until they're rescinded is the whole point of civil disobedience.

POPO2

11 months ago

Civil disobedience is stupid and has never accomplished anything. You want a law changed? Elect officials that will change the law. Petition the ones already in power. No group, no matter the cause should be able to force our government to bend to their will. I'm sure NAMBLA could do their own sit-ins to try to get their way. Maybe the KKK too. It's not about what the people want. It's about what our elected officials decide.

Kyle

11 months ago

The Civil Rights Movement disagrees with you about the effectiveness of civil disobedience. Maybe learn some history or something.

Bergman

11 months ago

I imagine Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi might disagree with you. Of course, it's entirely possible you're right, and India is not in fact a sovereign, independent nation at this time. It's completely obvious that nonviolent civil disobedience is stupid and never accomplishes anything. Long live the British Empire!

Or, you could crack open a history book, catch a clue or two, and stop coming across as a complete ignorant moron.

POPO2

11 months ago

Maybe it is you that should look back at the history books instead of relying on movies. Both India's independece and the US civil rights movement happened because elected officials voted for it. While the images of people being hosed with water is is great for TV, it takes politics to change law. Dancing and getting thrown in jail will not fix anything.

Kyle

11 months ago

The laws weren't changed until after the civil disobedience. The laws were changed because JFK and LBJ were tired of seeing the police beat the hell out of people in the streets of Birmingham and Washington, D.C.

And I don't know if you're familiar with this blog, but Carlos and associates regularly practice civil disobedience and get things changed.

Jim

11 months ago

Carlos has broken no laws, thats the point of the blog (and the title if you are able to read). Photography is not a crime, therefore taking photographs cannot be civil disobedience.

The civil disobedience did not get the laws changed, the fact that high status people were embarrassed is what got the laws changed. The bringing to light of those embarrassments via civil disobedience helped I am sure.

James

11 months ago

Um... so maybe you've never heard of a little thing called The Revolutionary War? Hit a library (or Wikipedia) and see what happened around those parts about 240 years ago. You might be surprised at how well civil disobedience works out. Armed, violent civil disobedience, for that matter.

And, absolutely we should be able to force the government to bend to our will. The government should serve the people, not the other way around. "For the people, by the people," that is how the saying goes. If the government is not serving the people via normal means, civil disobedience is perfectly legitimate.

Jim

11 months ago

You suggested I hit wikipedia, I suggest you do the same and read about civil disobedience.
Armed and violent do not equal civil.

James Myslinski

11 months ago

After reading through about 2/3 of the ruling (linked from the WTOP story), the law does not expressly forbid dancing, but rater public demonstrations. The go on to define 3 types of gov. owned property: "traditionally public forum," "limited public forum," and "nonpublic forum."

The dance was ruled as a public demonstration capable of drawing a crowd, which is forbidden in a nonpublic forum.

hhamlet

11 months ago

Actually singing is banned there as well.

Luc

11 months ago

"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
~Thomas Jefferson~

Bergman

11 months ago

I wonder what you'd be charged with if you were to go to the Jefferson Memorial, and wallpaper over Jefferson quotes engraved on the walls with placards stating that you're not allowed to freely express yourself, by order of the park police and the federal court system?

Odds are, if you were to suggest such an action to Jefferson himself, were he still around to ask, he'd end up in handcuffs right alongside you, having helped to hold the placard while you glued it in place.

Duane Kerzic

11 months ago

I'd think this founding father if he was alive today would be more than upset at the behaviour of the state in his memorial.

I can see why dancing might not be allowed but it's kind of a stupid rule. It's also kind of stupid to dance there.

As far as not being allowed to videocord I think that's totally crap. The officer later said that the area was closed. I wonder if he actually has the authority to close the area. If he does then he's probably in the clear on that one. But the way he manhandled the one guy with a camera I don't think he's in the clear on that one.

Perhaps a week or two off without pay to start would be a good idea. Give them some time to think about their actions.

If this is anything like Miami they might start shooting at the next protest.

Rich

11 months ago

according to there own website it is not illegal to use cameras, only commercial photography needs a permit. It is also not illegal to record breaking news stories. I can see already however that the police will probably ignore there own rules and the first amendment. However I think that its very convenient for the people who have the real power, to let the cops take the fall here. Its time to write our congressman they are the check on the judges.

Kyle

11 months ago

Carlos,
One more thing that's relevant to your blog's topic: The same officer who bodyslammed Kokesh had a previous encounter with him two weeks earlier. Kokesh was asking a question of Attorney General Holder and the officer put his hand on the camera to shove Kokesh and his cameraman away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bDxnpNj6UU

Jerith

11 months ago

Can everyone just do cartwheels or spin on the spot? Jog in place? Exercise? Are two people shaking hands dancing? Can you wiggle around and put another fellow protester in police approved holds? If they use it on you for you doing it....

Sorry but I just love the what-if's. I'll be watching how viral this will become.

Happy Tinfoil Cat

11 months ago

I, for one, am overjoyed that the law enforcement community has nothing better to do in DC. Last I heard, DC was competing with Oakland for shithole of the country. So relieved that 'silent dancing' and 'video taping' are the top priorities left after all the murder, rape, armed robbery and narcotics trafficking has all been cleaned up.

Rance

11 months ago

Dance on people! Dance on! Don't let the courts or the filth trample upon your 1st Amendment RIGHTS of FREEDOM OF SPEECH/EXPRESSION (Dancing, photography/videography)! This is authoritarian fascism to the core!

"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." -Thomas Jefferson

How is that for irony? Dance on!