Sunday, October 16, 2011

I know! Let's arrest Melissa!

But Sheriff, she's nowhere near the tents!

"Details," replies Sheriff Stanek.

One person was arrested yesterday in connection with the tent erection at Occupy Minnesota:
​Occupy MN protesters began setting up tents and shelters on the grassy knoll of the Government Plaza this afternoon, with full knowledge that they are defying the orders of the Hennepin County Sheriff.

However, cops approached Melissa Hill as she stood on the sidewalk just outside the park, far away from the tents. Occupiers noticed and crowded around in what quickly became a circus-like atmosphere.
I beg your pardon?

I guess the people sitting down peacefully around the tents were waaaay too tough a nut to crack, because law enforcement arrested Melissa instead. Perhaps she was hurling hurtful, sarcastic remarks. She has a history of that, you know:
Hill is a well-known local activist and chalker (who recently had her bike taken by downtown ambassadors). She is also, interestingly, the creator of "Kitten for Sheriff," a Facebook campaign trying to unseat Sheriff Rich Stanek by electing an adorable kitten in his place.
The charge? Trespassing and refusal to depart.

It's Sheriff Stanek's world, and we just live in it. But only if he wants us to.

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