[lowbridge]

Early one morning after he raised the flag, the workmen arrived. As he saluted, they pounded into the ground the two foot square No Trespassing sign. Moments later they called the Sheriff's department and held Thomas there until they arrived.

The city code enforcer ordered a citation to be issued for Thomas Northcut for trespassing. Thomas crumpled it into his pocket and went back to his duties, guarding the monument.

He was not doing anything wrong, so the government came along and made him a criminal.

[qlauraq]

"He was not doing anything wrong, so the government came along and made him a criminal."

well in most jurisdictions a "no trespass" order on public land (land or places generally open to the public) must come from someone authorized to give the order, usually meaning a law enforcement officer or someone charged with administering the land. i've never known this to be some city worker.

the order must have a reasonable basis (usually unlawful or disruptive conduct, disruptive meaning behavior that goes against the purpose of the place), and it must have a clear ending date. based on what is in the news story i doubt a criminal trespass conviction would stand against this person on appeal.

[GeekDejure]

He was not doing anything wrong, so the government came along and made him a criminal.

Well, lowbridge . . . you almost (but not quite) got that right !!!

He was NOT doing anything wrong, so the government came along and ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, DELIBERATELY, PURPOSEFULLY, and with MALACE a FORETHOUGHT made him a criminal !!!