Orlando's Copwatch brought back to life by libertariansBy Jeff GoreOrlando Weekly Blogs Oct. 23, 2010 |
ADL Urged Congress to Pass FISA Law Spying on Americans to 'Protect Israel'
Rep. Thomas Massie Warns Congress is Trying to Pass Hate Speech Laws to Outlaw Criticism of Israel
'Sniper Seen on Roof Overlooking Pro-Palestine Protest' at Indiana University
Mike Johnson Pushes Debunked Lie That Israeli Babies Were 'Cooked in Ovens' On October 7
Claim Jewish Student Was 'Stabbed In The Eye' by Pro-Palestine Protester Draws Mockery After Video Released
Spurred by Orlando police officer Travis Lamont's neck-snapping takedown of 84 year-old Daniel Daley in September, Orlando Copwatch -- a group once headed by firebrand radio host George Crossley — convened yesterday to protest in front of police headquarters downtown. "Fire Lamont!" the protesters shouted through a shared bullhorn, one of whom waved a sign that simply read "He is 84." It was the first time in more than two years that there had been any measurable activity from the group, which was formed as a citizens' watchdog agency to both expose and prevent abuse of power by city police. With their reappearance yesterday, we shouldn't say Copwatch awoke from its slumber, because that would suggest that we're talking about the same animal. If we had to use a biological metaphor, "emerged from its cocoon" would be much more appropriate. That's because the group seems to have undergone a complete metamorphosis. Filling out the ranks of the reformed Copwatch yesterday were self-described libertarians of all ages who became acquainted in 2008 under presidential candidate Ron Paul's "Campaign for Liberty." According to Mark Schmitter, a 64 year-old roofing contractor participating in the protest, the Lamont incident galvanized him and other "libertarian-minded" folks to resuscitate the group, which the Weekly first featured back in 2007. "We just kind of took over trying to do it," he said, adding that the old Copwatch leaders got "burned out." Read More |