Post by Shuftin on Feb 13, 2007 15:10:44 GMT -5
February 13, 2007
By Melody Brumble
Dawn Liebenguth was prepared to enjoy the Krewe of Centaur parade Saturday afternoon.
But what was supposed to be a good time with family and friends turned into an altercation with the police over flags she had displayed on her lawn chairs and vehicle.
In addition to floats and other spectators venturing down the parade route were Shreveport police officers, telling everyone to take down and cover up any flags they had on display, she said.
As the wife of a military man who is currently serving overseas, Liebenguth couldn't believe her ears.
"They told us we had to cover up our lawn chairs or they would take them away," she said. "I didn't take that well because my husband is in the military and that's our First Amendment right."
Liebenguth did what she was told, then proceeded to draw flags and other patriotic symbols on the street with her children's chalk.
"Then I thought to myself, 'I'm not going to sit back and let people bully me over my rights,'" she said.
Interim Shreveport Police Chief Mike VanSant apologized Monday morning for the actions of "a couple" of officers who told Mardi Gras parade spectators they couldn't have flag decor or wear shirts bearing flags along the parade route.
VanSant said a city law passed in 2002 requires people holding flags or large banners to stay 50 feet away from the route so spectators' views aren't blocked and so officers providing security can see the route. He said officers will be briefed about the law and will be given a copy of it before the Krewe of Gemini parade Saturday.
The law doesn't forbid flags draped over chairs, small signs or posters or flag-decorated clothing.
At the City Council work session Monday, Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark and council members offered to personally apologize to Liebenguth and had harsh words for the officers involved in the alleged altercation.
"It will not happen again," Dark said. "The whole purpose of that ordinance is to try to apply some common courtesy to people who are watching parades."
Tom Adair, a veteran of Marine Corps service and a member of the Lowe-McFarlane American Legion Post 14, asked the council to assure there wouldn't be similar problems at future parades and suggested the 50-foot requirement be removed from the city law.
"I think we made our point and the city sat up and took notice," Adair said.
"Someone made a huge mistake Saturday. But I think the city knows where the public stands on this. I really don't think there will be any more problems."
VanSant said paradegoers' complaints seemed to stem from the actions of a couple of officers along a small part of the Krewe of Centaur parade route on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway.
He doesn't know how many people received warnings but believes no one was charged for violating the ordinance.
VanSant said this is the first time since the law was passed that he's received complaints.
www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070213/NEWS01/702130333/1002/NEWS
By Melody Brumble
Dawn Liebenguth was prepared to enjoy the Krewe of Centaur parade Saturday afternoon.
But what was supposed to be a good time with family and friends turned into an altercation with the police over flags she had displayed on her lawn chairs and vehicle.
In addition to floats and other spectators venturing down the parade route were Shreveport police officers, telling everyone to take down and cover up any flags they had on display, she said.
As the wife of a military man who is currently serving overseas, Liebenguth couldn't believe her ears.
"They told us we had to cover up our lawn chairs or they would take them away," she said. "I didn't take that well because my husband is in the military and that's our First Amendment right."
Liebenguth did what she was told, then proceeded to draw flags and other patriotic symbols on the street with her children's chalk.
"Then I thought to myself, 'I'm not going to sit back and let people bully me over my rights,'" she said.
Interim Shreveport Police Chief Mike VanSant apologized Monday morning for the actions of "a couple" of officers who told Mardi Gras parade spectators they couldn't have flag decor or wear shirts bearing flags along the parade route.
VanSant said a city law passed in 2002 requires people holding flags or large banners to stay 50 feet away from the route so spectators' views aren't blocked and so officers providing security can see the route. He said officers will be briefed about the law and will be given a copy of it before the Krewe of Gemini parade Saturday.
The law doesn't forbid flags draped over chairs, small signs or posters or flag-decorated clothing.
At the City Council work session Monday, Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark and council members offered to personally apologize to Liebenguth and had harsh words for the officers involved in the alleged altercation.
"It will not happen again," Dark said. "The whole purpose of that ordinance is to try to apply some common courtesy to people who are watching parades."
Tom Adair, a veteran of Marine Corps service and a member of the Lowe-McFarlane American Legion Post 14, asked the council to assure there wouldn't be similar problems at future parades and suggested the 50-foot requirement be removed from the city law.
"I think we made our point and the city sat up and took notice," Adair said.
"Someone made a huge mistake Saturday. But I think the city knows where the public stands on this. I really don't think there will be any more problems."
VanSant said paradegoers' complaints seemed to stem from the actions of a couple of officers along a small part of the Krewe of Centaur parade route on Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway.
He doesn't know how many people received warnings but believes no one was charged for violating the ordinance.
VanSant said this is the first time since the law was passed that he's received complaints.
www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070213/NEWS01/702130333/1002/NEWS