Posted on 01/11/2012 12:42:09 PM PST by matt04
A Manchester woman said today that she has decided to press charges after a scuffle Sunday at a presidential campaign event for Republican candidate Newt Gingrich inside a Mexican restaurant in Manchester, N.H.
Rebecca Burton, 43, says she was inside the restaurant when her sign, which said, "Occupy Hartford,'' was pulled away by a security aide for Gingrich. The candidate had not yet entered the room.
"Before I knew it, the sign was ripped out of my hands, and I saw a gentleman walking away with it,'' Burton told The Courant. "He pushed me roughly, and he said, 'Get out. We don't want you here.''
Burton said she was not injured.
Tensions had been high in the area as anti-Gingrich protesters from the Occupy movement had gathered outside the restaurant. They chanted anti-Gingrich slogans as one of the members banged a drum.
Burton had filed a complaint but returned to Connecticut without pressing charges. After thinking about it overnight, she said Tuesday, she called a detective at the Manchester Police Department and asked them to pursue the case.
"They're going to do the investigation and decide if there is probable cause," Burton said. "If they decide there isn't probable cause, then the case will be dropped."
She said the detectives will interview witnesses and then go to the prosecutor to decide if a warrant should be issued. Burton said she was told that the process could take six months because of a backlog of criminal cases.
Burton, a self-employed small-business owner, explained why she decided to press charges: "It's wrong. We have a system in place to deal with crimes against people, and I want the system to work. I don't want to live in a world where someone who doesn't agree with me is allowed to push me around."
(Excerpt) Read more at courant.com ...
” the sign was ripped out of my hands, and I saw a gentleman walking away with it,’’ Burton told The Courant. “He pushed me roughly, and he said, ‘Get out. We don’t want you here.’’
Now she understands OWS. LOL!
Sporting event don't allow wooden pools on flags, but you can use PVC.
It can be just as much a weapon as a pole.
Size of signs, language, etc., is pretty much covered in a controlled rally just like sporting events.
A coordinator, security or anyone associated with the event can have the sign, poster, etc., removed if rules are not followed.
In the cafe, the owner probably didn't' mind rally signs/posters.
Security of Newt probably removed it because it was anti Newt.
It happens.
And as you wrote, I too was not there.
Been a coordinator for a gubernatorial race and one (of many) at an RNC. Seen it all.
Three phrases of advice:
Gee, too bad about your drum. But I was just trying to keep myslef from falling. Maybe you shouldn't have positioned it so close to the traffic.
As an owner, I wouldn't allow it.
Do we know if she was/wasn't a paying customer?
There were protesters before the OWS and there will be protesters after the OWS crowd fades away.
Those details are unreported, but she was protesting, so her motives were leaning toward making trouble, and she found it. Whose to say “the gentleman” was Newt’s Security, and not a diner employee?
“The marriage and family counselors I’ve seen are the epitome of the mean-faced, clipped haired, democrat. Academically, when their parents insisted they attend college, they took the easiest path to a degree.
Now, they can boss others around and not “feel” guilty about it. “
_______________
Sounds like you are talking about most cops I know. Right down to the “clipped haired”.
So there are Mexican restaurants in New Hampshire?
if someone is told to leave, and they refuse, then in my opinion the business has the right to force the person to leave.... why do they have bouncers at bars and nightclubs?
jeez, people are starting to act like spoiled 6 year olds.. “HE’S TOUCHING ME MOMMY!!!! HES TOUCHING ME”.... grow up for cryin out loud
If the police do investigate, we'll see what role the "gentleman" played.
If it was the owner or an employee acting on behalf of the business, I don't see why it would be an issue to remove the sign or the protester, especially if not a paying customer.
Maybe we will get some answers when/if the investigation takes place.
A "left" protester is not held to a higher standard as a "right" protester when it comes to rules.
It would chap me pretty hard to see someone from the right protesting and being accosted and nothing done about it.
And we have all seen that.
The “occupy Hartford” crowd is very small—except for the muggers waiting for nightfall.
Backrubs, hand relief, lewisnkys...but she's not a whore.
I found the women’s Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.burton
Earlier today she posted that she was supposedly injured in the struggle for the sign.
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