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infrogmationLibertarian Gubernatorial Candidate Arrested
At State Fair
Huron (3 AUG 2002) - Libertarian candidate for governor, Nathan A. Barton of rural Rapid City, was arrested today by security guards at the so-called "Freedom Stage" on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, at the beginning of a congressional candidates forum which did not include Libertarian candidate Terry Begay of Volin.
Mr. Barton was standing on the side of the audience area and asking in a loud voice, "Where is Terry Begay? There are three candidates on the ballot for US House, where is the third candidate? Don't we have a right?" when he was grabbed in mid-sentence by two police or sheriffs deputies moonlighting as security for either the State Fair or Dakota News Network (sponsor of the series of three forums, for House, Senate and Governor). All of the forums featured only the Democratic and Republican candidates, and excluded the three Libertarian candidates and one Independent candidate who have made the ballot for the November 5th election for the various offices.
Mr. Barton had earlier spoken to the moderator, who had first said that only "invited" candidates were to be featured, and then claimed that it was only because the Libertarian Party campaigns had not contacted DNN that they were not included. Another Libertarian, Kurt Evans, candidate for the US Senate, had been warned by DNN that if he attempted to go on the stage, he would be stopped by security. Mr. Barton made his comments from the side of the outdoor audience area, and did not attempt to say anything on the stage.
The security guards carried Mr. Barton about twenty yards to the street side near the "Freedom Stage," aggravating an injury to his right thumb (which had been sustained earlier in the week). He was then ordered to immediately allow himself to be escorted from the Fairgrounds, and was told that he would be arrested on trespassing charges if he tried to reenter the Fairgrounds.
Mr. Barton objected to that, stating that he was an exhibitor on the grounds, that it was public land, and that he was only exercising his right to free speech. One of the officers told Mr. Barton, in response, that he didn't like Mr. Barton and didn't like what he was saying, that he was disturbing good people. Mr. Barton replied that was why we had a first amendment: to protect speech we did not like. One of the security guards repeated the order, and Mr. Barton again refused, and the guards then told Mr. Barton that they would arrest him and take him to jail. They handcuffed Mr. Barton, knocking his glasses off, injuring both his right thumb and his left wrist.
Mr. Barton was then taken to the Fairground Security Office, arriving there with blood dripping down his wrists and staining his clothing. A Fairground EMT treated Mr. Barton and he was taken to the Beadle County Jail, where he was booked on charges of "disorderly conduct" and "obstructing a law enforcement officer," and released on $500 bond and a judge's order not to return to the Fairgrounds until after 4 PM that afternoon. Mr. Barton was released about 1 PM, and was well treated at the County Jail and by the arresting officers at the jail.
Mr. Barton's older son, Gareth, was aiding in distributing flyers at the time and witnessed his father's arrest. When Mr. Barton was taken to jail, both his older son and his younger son, Matthias, were left abandoned on the Fairgrounds. Only through the aid of friends were the boys taken care of while Mr. Barton was in a holding cell.
Mr. Barton and other Libertarian candidates emphasize that this treatment of people whose views vary from your own, and the tendency to resort to force in any situation is one of the reasons that they are running for office as Libertarians. Increasingly, on our college campuses, in our schools, and on the media, dissenting views are ridiculed, ignored, and often completely silenced.
Mr. Barton had been at the State Fair since Wednesday, along with other Libertarian candidates and activists at the party booth. This is the first time the Libertarian Party has been able to have a booth at the annual event. Following his release, he returned to West River for other engagements and projects. He intends to maintain his campaign schedule despite the attack and charges. For more information contact: · James Christen, Huron area Libertarian coordinator, 352- 4559 · Bob Newland, SDLP ExComm, 255- 4032 · Nathan Barton, SDLP ExComm, 390-7255
Source
At State Fair
Huron (3 AUG 2002) - Libertarian candidate for governor, Nathan A. Barton of rural Rapid City, was arrested today by security guards at the so-called "Freedom Stage" on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, at the beginning of a congressional candidates forum which did not include Libertarian candidate Terry Begay of Volin.
Mr. Barton was standing on the side of the audience area and asking in a loud voice, "Where is Terry Begay? There are three candidates on the ballot for US House, where is the third candidate? Don't we have a right?" when he was grabbed in mid-sentence by two police or sheriffs deputies moonlighting as security for either the State Fair or Dakota News Network (sponsor of the series of three forums, for House, Senate and Governor). All of the forums featured only the Democratic and Republican candidates, and excluded the three Libertarian candidates and one Independent candidate who have made the ballot for the November 5th election for the various offices.
Mr. Barton had earlier spoken to the moderator, who had first said that only "invited" candidates were to be featured, and then claimed that it was only because the Libertarian Party campaigns had not contacted DNN that they were not included. Another Libertarian, Kurt Evans, candidate for the US Senate, had been warned by DNN that if he attempted to go on the stage, he would be stopped by security. Mr. Barton made his comments from the side of the outdoor audience area, and did not attempt to say anything on the stage.
The security guards carried Mr. Barton about twenty yards to the street side near the "Freedom Stage," aggravating an injury to his right thumb (which had been sustained earlier in the week). He was then ordered to immediately allow himself to be escorted from the Fairgrounds, and was told that he would be arrested on trespassing charges if he tried to reenter the Fairgrounds.
Mr. Barton objected to that, stating that he was an exhibitor on the grounds, that it was public land, and that he was only exercising his right to free speech. One of the officers told Mr. Barton, in response, that he didn't like Mr. Barton and didn't like what he was saying, that he was disturbing good people. Mr. Barton replied that was why we had a first amendment: to protect speech we did not like. One of the security guards repeated the order, and Mr. Barton again refused, and the guards then told Mr. Barton that they would arrest him and take him to jail. They handcuffed Mr. Barton, knocking his glasses off, injuring both his right thumb and his left wrist.
Mr. Barton was then taken to the Fairground Security Office, arriving there with blood dripping down his wrists and staining his clothing. A Fairground EMT treated Mr. Barton and he was taken to the Beadle County Jail, where he was booked on charges of "disorderly conduct" and "obstructing a law enforcement officer," and released on $500 bond and a judge's order not to return to the Fairgrounds until after 4 PM that afternoon. Mr. Barton was released about 1 PM, and was well treated at the County Jail and by the arresting officers at the jail.
Mr. Barton's older son, Gareth, was aiding in distributing flyers at the time and witnessed his father's arrest. When Mr. Barton was taken to jail, both his older son and his younger son, Matthias, were left abandoned on the Fairgrounds. Only through the aid of friends were the boys taken care of while Mr. Barton was in a holding cell.
Mr. Barton and other Libertarian candidates emphasize that this treatment of people whose views vary from your own, and the tendency to resort to force in any situation is one of the reasons that they are running for office as Libertarians. Increasingly, on our college campuses, in our schools, and on the media, dissenting views are ridiculed, ignored, and often completely silenced.
Mr. Barton had been at the State Fair since Wednesday, along with other Libertarian candidates and activists at the party booth. This is the first time the Libertarian Party has been able to have a booth at the annual event. Following his release, he returned to West River for other engagements and projects. He intends to maintain his campaign schedule despite the attack and charges. For more information contact: · James Christen, Huron area Libertarian coordinator, 352- 4559 · Bob Newland, SDLP ExComm, 255- 4032 · Nathan Barton, SDLP ExComm, 390-7255
Source
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Re: Oh, please.
Date: 2002-08-10 04:13 pm (UTC)I don't know if I'd want any one party (even one I agree with) in total control. Though if I were offered a chance to exchange the Republicans & Democrats for the Libertarians and the Greens as the leading parties, I'd do so in a heartbeat.
Now, THAT