If confronted by cops while passing out RP fliers how should we handle it?

[Reason]

A few RP supporters & myself have ordered half a thousand fliers from the official website & plan to put them on car windshields & hand them out in a very large outdoor shopping center near us.

If for some reason cops were to come & tell us to stop or want our information, harass us or w/e... Do you think it would be best to just comply and find a new location or bust out the cameras & start demanding penal code citation etc...

As some of you might remember, I have no issue was standing my ground with a camera in hand I just wonder if it would be the prudent action considering in this activity I would be representing RP.

Thoughts?

 

[IndianaPolitico]

First off, make sure you aren't looking for a fight. If for some reason this occurs, don't start screaming. Talk calmly, and 9 times out of 10 the issue this will resolve in your favor.

 

[Reason]

First off, make sure you aren't looking for a fight. If for some reason this occurs, don't start screaming. Talk calmly, and 9 times out of 10 the issue this will resolve in your favor.

I am always calm, I just want some thoughts on if I should bother to argue freedom of speech, claim no property owner has asked us to leave etc or if I should just stfu & find a new shopping center.

 

[specsaregood]

I think you know the answer. Be respectful and comply. You can also get their name/badge # and ask for details on why you are being asked to leave; but dont' get confrontational. We don't need our own tazed guy this election cycle.

 

[Reason]

I think you know the answer. Be respectful and comply. You can also get their name/badge # and ask for details on why you are being asked to leave; but dont' get confrontational. We don't need our own tazed guy this election cycle.

lol, don't taze me bro

 

[hazek]

If you want what's good for your and your friends' health obey any orders and ignore everything else with respect. You don't need to like the mafia, but sometimes paying them off could be the more sensible thing to do.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Shopping center are private property. In some cases this presents a "better to ask forgiveness than permission" situation, but we need to be careful. I've never been one for leaving stuff on cars, but that is just me. In some areas it is more "acceptable" than others...

 

[specsaregood]

Shopping center are private property. In some cases this presents a "better to ask forgiveness than permission" situation, but we need to be careful. I've never been one for leaving stuff on cars, but that is just me. In some areas it is more "acceptable" than others...

Of course the legal argument has been made that shopping centers are the modern day equivalent of the "town square", and as such freedom of speech should be allowed. I'm not sure how those cases have turned out that and it is beyond the scope of the OP's question. Just thought i would throw that out.

 

[RileyE104]

My personal belief is to do whatever necessary to spread the word. So if you get a cop complaining, just comply and move to another area. We need all the volunteers out there that we can have, can't afford to have anyone in this movement having to waste time being questioned by police, having to pay fines or having to serve jail time.

 

[falconplayer11]

Just do what they say. It's not worth it to risk getting trouble, and RP supporters are already known for being annoying.

 

[FA.Hayek]

don't antagonize the cop(s), do as he/she says and go somewhere else to spread the word!

 

[brushfire]

Co-op, the cop... Just ask him/her not to pass out flyers with speeding tickets.

 

[IndianaPolitico]

I am always calm, I just want some thoughts on if I should bother to argue freedom of speech, claim no property owner has asked us to leave etc or if I should just stfu & find a new shopping center.

I guess I would take it on a case by case basis. If you are doing it at a shopping center take into account that it is private property, and arguing and maybe even getting arrested can waste time that you could be using passing out flyers somewhere else.

 

[Brad Zink]

I've found the most effective method is hanging fliers on doorknobs. People can read the information in the comfort of their own home, and they can access a computer to learn more.

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

If you're on any part of shopping center property, they have the right to ask you to leave. If they kick you out, just go somewhere close that's city property.

 

[BUSHLIED]

Don't be stupid and get confrontational...its a lose/lose situation. Simply say you are sorry, follow whatever they ask, and find another place to hand out your flyers...the only thing I would resist is IF they want to take away your flyers...I wouldn't let them do that unless, you just had like 40 in your hand and you have 1,000s in your car somewhere else..then just hand them the 50 flyers and get in your car and leave..go find another place.


Typically there is not a good reason to not comply with police, unless they are doing you direct harm and you have to defend yourself or your family. It is almost always best to live to fight another day...remain calm, polite, and cooperative...most cops don't want problems...some may be having a bad day...those are the ones not to mess with.
Also, what state/city are you going to be in?

 

[xRedfoxx]

I'm a police officer and I would encourage you to do what they say! If what they ask you to do is illegal, sue them. Also remember that in many places the owners have the right to ask you to leave and may call the cops to enforce it. Aggressive behavior also scares away new supporters.

By the way….a lot of cops are very pro-ron paul. Remember that most laws we enforce are state laws...not federal laws.

If you’re an anarchist supporter of Ron Paul….then none of my recommendations will help.

 

[hazek]

I'm a police officer and I would encourage you to do what they say!

Exactly. I always laugh at people for trying to stand up to LEOs in the street especially since the LEO is not a judge nor the jury but knows that if he gives you an order you have to obey or he can use any force necessary to get your compliance.

What you have to understand is that they can be sued just like anyone else if their order is illegal. So if you want what's good for your health, in the moment you comply, but the second you have a chance you make a record of it, gather witnesses and/or evidence and file a lawsuit. It's the only way where you can actually stand up to them, win and not get hurt in the process.

xRedfoxx I have a question for you. Say I haven't done anything wrong, you know it and I know it, but I was nosy or otherwise annoyed you in the street and you asked for my I.D.? You say "Can/may I see some I.D." What would your response be, if I asked back "Are you ordering me or are you asking me?"

 

[xRedfoxx]

I can only answer for Texas...states are different. Depends on the situation...if I were just checking up on you I wouldn't care at a wise crack....if you're a suspect of a crime I wouldn't be all that humored by a wise-crack.

But our law is straight forward:

CHAPTER 38. OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATION

§ 38.02. FAILURE TO IDENTIFY.
(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally refuses to give his name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information.
(b) A person commits an offense if he intentionally gives a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has:
(1) lawfully arrested the person;
(2) lawfully detained the person; or
(3) requested the information from a person that the peace officer has good cause to believe is a witness to a criminal offense.
(c) Except as provided by Subsections (d) and (e), an offense under this section is:
(1) a Class C misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (a); or
(2) a Class B misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (b).
(d) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the defendant was a fugitive from justice at the time of the offense, the offense is:
(1) a Class B misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (a); or
(2) a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is committed under Subsection (b).
(e) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under Section 106.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code, the actor may be prosecuted only under Section 106.07.

 

[hazek]

My question is more like would you define it as an order if by me refusing to comply I would be committing a crime or would you keep repeating the same "can/may I see some I.D.?" that implies it's an request and requires my consent?

Because as far as I know you can't just order villy nilly people to show I.D., right? Unless you want to break the law and get sued of course, right? And when you can order it, you are legally allowed to punish me for not complying?