Deavis
Member
The mere fact that some moron went to the extent to have these shirts made up, bringing a video camera to have it documented, and then making illegals wear them, is dehumanizing. Call it what you want, but evidently, this clown, had this all planned out in advance. He's not a patriot. He's a jerk.
Right on Steve, right on. I'll say upfront that I disagree with Steve in that I think the MMP is a great way to bring public attention to the border situation, however, like all peaceful protests it must remain morally spotless. The whole idea of a peaceful resistance is to show how immoral and wrong the other side is. Degrading another person, illegal or not, is the wrong way to get people to join your cause. If you have ever been part of an organization with a public front then you know what I am talking about.
If the extent of your public relations skills is, and I'm sure there are plenty of people here that fit this bill, talking trash online or during a deathmatch with your clan then you are clueless to the effect a single bad action can have for a group. Most people have never been part of an organization that is under public scrutiny, so they don't understand how important PR is.
It is no different than being falsely accused of rape. It doesn't matter whether you are proven innocent or not, the stigma will ruin your image. The best option is not to put yourself in that situation, in other words, don't print idiotic T-shirts for self gratification at the expense of the cause you are representing. That guy is an idiot and should be sent home.
As far as a Citizen's arrest, here is Arizona's law.
13-3884. Arrest by private person
A private person may make an arrest:
1. When the person to be arrested has in his presence committed a misdemeanor amounting to a breach of the peace, or a felony.
2. When a felony has been in fact committed and he has reasonable ground to believe that the person to be arrested has committed it.
Now supposedly illegal entry is a misdemeanor, not a felony., but I can't confirm that. Surely someone here can use findlaw better than me. Regardless, the MM would have to see them actually crossing the border and then convince the judge that it was a breach of peace or a felony if it is one. This discusses citizen's arrest in a federal setting. They seem, if I understand correctly, to recognize the power of a citizen to arrest. This is not exactly dealing with a citizen, it is what the 9th court came up with for out of country arrests.
http://www.usdoj.gov/osg/briefs/2003/3mer/2mer/2003-0485.mer.rep.pdf
Here is another link to caselaw where the Federal government recognizes the right to citizen's arrest. It appears that they recognize whatever the state law is regarding it.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&case=/data2/circs/5th/9750904cr0.html
I went ahead and called the local PD and asked them if I knew for a fact where a Mexican Illegal was, or more accurately if I randomly encountered the fellow I know to be an illegal, could I arrest him and haul him in? Their answer?
Their answer? Who cares, tt doesn't matter! If I call the cops, get a receptionist, and ask her if I can a burn down my neighbors house because they play loud music and she says it is okay, then I can do it?
The police are not the ones who decide what is lawful and what is not. Trusting your butt to some joe shmoe at the station will land you in jail. Go call the DA's office and get a real legal opinion. Better yet, go pay your lawyer to do it since DAs don't respond to legal questions from private citizens (at least in Texas)
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