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Lets talk about the protest and ensuing upset that happened in Jacksonville at Hemming Park yesterday 4/7/2017 that ended up in a melee and left many in our city confused, frustrated and feeling that either protesters or the police were treated unjustly. Why do I want to talk about this? Because I was contacted by a number of upset people in Jacksonville who did not know how to process this unfortunate event and were confused and angry whether they be supporters of the protest or those who thought the JSO handled the situation properly and were justified in their actions. People wanted to know the facts about what had happened and most wanted to know why the main instigator, a man calling himself Gary Snow simply walked away from the mess that resulted from his agitation. Those who know me know of my long standing support of the JSO, citizen involvement with them and local government and know equally of my passion for truth and justice on all sides of any issue as well my deep love for the artists, activists and movers and shakers in Jacksonville. I am not afraid to speak up about uncomfortable truth's in an honest and fair way and make sure those truths are known to citizens, authorities and media alike. It is truly a balancing act. So for all those who looked to me personally or who are trying to wrap their minds about what took place on the front steps of City Hall I have some "facts" to share. My intent is not to place blame or to ajudicate the situation because what I know about it comes from some who were there, video's and JSO public statement on FB, but rather to share some facts that may shed light on the mess that happened. I will simply say at this point that things went wrong that should not have gone wrong all the way around. First know that what I have discovered has been shared with JSO and media. The information I uncovered has shown one thing very clearly and that is that the man who has been identified as Gary Snow is not new to politically disruptive activities and he is not a Jacksonville native. He came here several month's ago from Chicago Illinois where he was involved in political activism with a twist. The twist is that he presents himself as a supporter of law enforcement and as such somehow seems to adopt a stance of authority to stand on their behalf that is unearned beyond what he divines for himself.
He is an organizer of a group he created in October of last year called "Chicago Code Blue" which he positioned as a group in support of Chicago Police. However, the Chicago Police Department says that he or his group is not affiliated with them and further instructed him to cease in his attempt to have his organization march on their behalf in a St. Patrick's Day Parade. He is it would appear a police "wannabee". He also presents himself in military fatigues and an Army shirt but he has by his own admission never served in the Armed forces.
Fast forward to Jacksonville where he was involved in the confrontation yesterday. He came here a few month's ago making contact in Ponte Vedra where he apparently has a family member. He readily inserted himself into a number of political events associated with the Trump campaign as well as helping to open a Trump campaign office in Mandarin. He then began to work the local GOP circuit and start to connect himself to the local JSO by following Sheriff Mike Williams on FB, waving a police flag at events and attaching himself via a photo op to former Sheriff John Rutherford, now Congressman to begin to weave himself into the local political/authoritative fabric of our city.
What does he want? Apparently he is looking for attention and notoriety as well as to be perceived to be a police insider. Why do I say this, well let me use his own quote from his FB page. Quote Gary Snow:
They said I was a "Lone Trump supporter" at the beginning.....
They said that my support for our President was irrelevant.....
They said I would never matter.........
SEEMS I GOT THEIR ATTENTION NOW!!!!!!
He has a new hash tag that is associated with his attempts to raise money for his efforts on a Go Fund Me page as well as selling T. Shirts which by the look of his fundraising totals is not going well.
In the pictures in this post you will see him posed in a Chicago Police cap for what it's worth. He is not an officer or connected to that organization. You will all see him pictured in an angry altercation with a young black man not in Jacksonville but in Chicago. This is the same dynamic he placed himself in here in Jacksonville.
Let's talk about the business of targeting protesters as well. While in Chicago Snow ended up in a mess with a local television reporter by the name of Jesse Salazar of NBC 5. You will find the tweet exchange posted here which has Salazar speaking to Snow's targeting protesters there for harassment and then to the reporter stating he was going to his employers for a restraining order against Snow.
My closing thoughts on this portion of the issue regarding this one man are these. It is now being perceived by some who were at the protest that Snow, who was found lounging against a police cruiser after the arrest of protesters was chatting up officers to the degree that he seemed to know and be supported by them. This of course is a very bad perception for the public to have regarding JSO considering the actions and resulting arrests, be it true or not, I feel the JSO needs to bring clarification to what if any connection he has to them. My second thought is this, which is the fact that Snow wanted attention to himself and his name and well, he should get that attention which should include some answers to the question as to how a known agitator, one that protesters had asked to have removed from their midst yesterday was not removed in order to preserve the peace. Why he was allowed to use a bullhorn but protesters were confronted by park security for using one. This can be seen in the attached video. Had Snow been removed this unfortunate event would have never happened. As it stands he is gleefully filling up his FB page with information about the upset he instigated. All of this flies in the fact of my own sense of justice and I think many can relate to this feeling. Let me be clear, I am not defending physicality between protesters and police or excusing the obscenities and other unfortunate responses from upset and agitated protesters. That was a mistake that I hope they will not repeat. Know this protesters, Snow came to mess you and our city's political atmosphere up and he won this round. Let's hope now that fact's a truth put this agitator in his place which should not include being a transplant to our city that creates upheaval.
The man in the blue cap lounging on the JSO vehicle is Gary Snow.
For video of Hemming protest click this link:
https://www.facebook.com/cat.corby/videos/628678367332039/?pnref=story
Click this link for one of Snows FB pages: https://www.facebook.com/garrett.nix.96
(http://i.imgur.com/1Wp8U6H.jpg)[/img]
Gary Snow relaxing on JSO vehicle after the protesters he agitated and incited were arrested.
One side of the political aisle always seem to have a problem with keeping their hands to themselves; they are the side that always 'fight against intolerance' how ironic and hypocritical....
Although he does seem like a dirtbag, it shows in the video one of the anti-trump protestors trying to take his bull horn which set off the altercation. Would he have started something later on, who knows? I wouldn't say this was his fault though. He has just as much right to be out there as anyone else.
Okay, Snow has the right to be there, but to be directly next to the person protesting, yelling the opposite slogans? While waving a Trump flag over the Syria protester's head? That's agitation. Want to have an anti-protest? set up across the street and have some dignity.
One thing about Florida, it tends to stay away from that pernicious 'marching down the street, blocking highways, throwing molotovs at CVSs, beating on people with a differing political view, Guy Fawkes rioting far left type of culture'. Hopefully that crap with stay in San Fran, Portland, Austin, Baltimore, St Louis etc etc etc. Once you go to the left deep end, there's no turning back.
There's a reason why most of the center to right cities are growing faster than the far leftist cities (where everything is about climate change and social justice rather than jobs and civility). Hopefully Jax don't let that horrible far leftist culture take over, or we are gonna be the next Detroit.
I would have a ton of sympathy and support for the "protesters" had they shown up to protest Assads sarin gas attacks. They must have been busy that day...
You people deserve each other.
Gary Snow seems to me to be the agitator and main cause of this melee. I've watched many videos and I am amazed that only the people who were not Trump fans were arrested. If someone starts a protest and someone of another position starts to harass, takeover, heckle, and disrupt, what should police do? In Jacksonville the police arrest the people who's beliefs are different than their own. Shameful.
Quote from: I-10east on April 09, 2017, 02:04:18 AM
One thing about Florida, it tends to stay away from that pernicious 'marching down the street, blocking highways, throwing molotovs at CVSs, beating on people with a differing political view, Guy Fawkes rioting far left type of culture'. Hopefully that crap with stay in San Fran, Portland, Austin, Baltimore, St Louis etc etc etc. Once you go to the left deep end, there's no turning back.
There's a reason why most of the center to right cities are growing faster than the far leftist cities (where everything is about climate change and social justice rather than jobs and civility). Hopefully Jax don't let that horrible far leftist culture take over, or we are gonna be the next Detroit.
You need to do some research. San Francisco is first or second in the country for economic vitality. Portland and Austin have booming economies as well. Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Diego, Nashville are other cities that are very prosperous as well as left of center politically. Even Texas cities, which are all booming are far more to the left than the state as a whole.
There is nothing Jacksonville can teach the cities you listed, but here is much Jacksonville could learn from them.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 09, 2017, 07:11:36 AM
I would have a ton of sympathy and support for the "protesters" had they shown up to protest Assads sarin gas attacks. They must have been busy that day...
You expect U.S. citizens to protest something the U.S. wasn't involved in?
I'm still trying to figure out why anyone is shocked at any of this:
Rally for the children of Syria after we bombed an empty airbase, essentially a warning shot or "military tweet" (thank you Michael Savage (http://waynedupree.com/michael-savage-prosecutes-the-syrian-attack-and-his-results-are-jaw-dropping/)) due to the gassing of said children by their own leader. Not shocked that the protest itself doesn't align with me personally.
Known agitator among them at a protest and they allow him to agitate enough to cause physical action first. From the moment they touched him or his flag, they lost.
Shouting anti-LEO statements over the bullhorn. And then wonder why the over-reaction from JSO when things go awry? C'mon.
Complete over-reaction and over-charging by JSO. Completely overboard with the physicality. Sure, you were hearing Fuck the Police, but sticks and stones for God's sake.
And the Angela Corey style of charging everyone with felonies is bullying from a legal standpoint. Not one of the protesters deserved anything more than possibly a Disturbing the Peace and Resisting w/o Violence - TICKET/Summons. No reason at all to haul them all to jail. Especially with felony charges. I seriously hope this kind of action tones down with Cofer in charge of the SAO.
Edit:
And for Fuck's Sake it's DEFINITELY.
Really I kind of sat back and reserved judgment on this one until I saw more of the footage and received more information.
There is a reason you separate opposing sides of demonstrations and why many in law enforcement do the same. Yes, everyone has a right to be there and express their views (big free speech fan here). But, no one has the right to incite a riot or violence.
As for demonstrators, let me offer some de-escalation 101 .... if a member of law enforcement asks you to move sit, stand, lay down or put your hands behind your back ... comply ... I dont care if you are 100% right ... the minute you resist ... the minute you strike an officer ... you've lost even if you are right. If you do resist and it is an escalating situation, the officer has no way of knowing if you or others are armed and at the point is worrying about his personal safety ... so don't be shocked if you are thrown to the ground and cuffed ...
If you punch an officer ( I saw at least two of those arrested throw connecting punches at officers), I have no sympathy and you get what you deserve ... you're lucky its a criminal charge and not a trip to the hospital. Not to mention, you just turned a demonstration into a riot and lost any chance of most taking you or your position seriously.
I dont even have to get into the politics of either side here. Im just happy neither officer or demonstrator was more seriously injured.
Quote from: NoFxfan on April 09, 2017, 01:50:22 AM
Although he does seem like a dirtbag, it shows in the video one of the anti-trump protestors trying to take his bull horn which set off the altercation. Would he have started something later on, who knows? I wouldn't say this was his fault though. He has just as much right to be out there as anyone else.
He has a right to be out there, however it is unlawful to disrupt an existing assembly. Something JSO chose to ignore, allowing the situation to boil over. The protesters had a permit, William "Gary Snow" Nix did not.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String&URL=0800-0899%2F0871%2FSections%2F0871.01.html
(http://i.imgur.com/0omxfMP.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/tzgskEJ.jpg)
Further research is now showing what was suspected which is that Gary Snow is also a racial agitator. I don't know how to post video so that it automatically plays so you will have to click the link. The video is from a FB page belonging to a young black man in Chicago, the city Snow heralds from. He is clearly an instigator in racial upset as much as he is in his Trump supporting agenda. JSO is aware now of his background and activities. The still picture is apparently of one of his posts on instagram. Keep in mind that the Chicago PD has made a public statement that Snow is not associated with their department in any way.
Above image from Snow in Chicago.
Click link to see video. https://www.facebook.com/Jaymalgreen1/posts/10153332343336650
This Gary Snow dude seems like a Class A jackwagon, but that Instagram photo with the Chicago PD is very obviously fake. Don't give up the moral high ground by using outright falsehoods to smear someones character when the video speaks for itself.
Quote from: JBTripper on April 10, 2017, 03:46:19 PM
This Gary Snow dude seems like a Class A jackwagon, but that Instagram photo with the Chicago PD is very obviously fake. Don't give up the moral high ground by using outright falsehoods to smear someones character when the video speaks for itself.
Actually the photo has been around for three years now and this joker has it posted to one of his many FB pages without a disclaimer saying it is false which is curious in and of itself. He was asked about it by Folio and claimed it is fake and that he has been trying to it get down for three years. It may well be and if I find out it is I will follow up with a clarification. Honestly, I only posted the pic as a visual intro because I can't figure out how to post the video itself as an instant visual. Maybe one of the moderators will do so. In Snows case many of his own postings and statements that are incriminating and being exposed from his many FB pages are being quickly removed by him. He is man whose own words and actions will in the end exposed and discredit him.
Update: Replaced the pic we have been discussing above with another verified image of Snow in a verbal confrontation in Chicago.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on April 10, 2017, 04:29:27 PM
Quote from: JBTripper on April 10, 2017, 03:46:19 PM
This Gary Snow dude seems like a Class A jackwagon, but that Instagram photo with the Chicago PD is very obviously fake. Don't give up the moral high ground by using outright falsehoods to smear someones character when the video speaks for itself.
Actually the photo has been around for three years now and this joker has it posted to one of his many FB pages without a disclaimer saying it is false which is curious in and of itself. He was asked about it by Folio and claimed it is fake and that he has been trying to get down for three years. It may well be and if I find out it is I will follow up with a clarification. Many of his own postings and statements that are incriminating and being exposed from his many FB pages are being quickly removed by him. He is man whose own words and actions will in the end exposed and discredit him.
The Instagram is fake at a glance. The background behind the letters is different than the white surrounding background, it's a very poor photoshop. JBTripper is right, the video (of burning and shooting the Pan-African Flag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-African_flag) speaks for itself, no need to spread falsehoods.
Quote from: Tacachale on April 10, 2017, 05:07:40 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on April 10, 2017, 04:29:27 PM
Quote from: JBTripper on April 10, 2017, 03:46:19 PM
This Gary Snow dude seems like a Class A jackwagon, but that Instagram photo with the Chicago PD is very obviously fake. Don't give up the moral high ground by using outright falsehoods to smear someones character when the video speaks for itself.
Actually the photo has been around for three years now and this joker has it posted to one of his many FB pages without a disclaimer saying it is false which is curious in and of itself. He was asked about it by Folio and claimed it is fake and that he has been trying to get down for three years. It may well be and if I find out it is I will follow up with a clarification. Many of his own postings and statements that are incriminating and being exposed from his many FB pages are being quickly removed by him. He is man whose own words and actions will in the end exposed and discredit him.
The Instagram is fake at a glance. The background behind the letters is different than the white surrounding background, it's a very poor photoshop. JBTripper is right, the video (of burning and shooting the Pan-African Flag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-African_flag) speaks for itself, no need to spread falsehoods.
Check above. I have changed the image for one that is verified as being Snow. I don't do Instagram so things like you noted would not be recognized by me. Do you know how to post video so that a visual is in the post? That is actually what I would like to do here.
IMO this is the most astute writing about the events so far, from A.G. Gancarski at Florida Politics:
"'Snow job' for Jacksonville protesters was only a matter of time"
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/235746-snow-job-jacksonville-protesters-matter-time
Quote
...
Snow, who came to Jacksonville fairly recently from Chicago, has a unique shtick.
Under the aegis of supporting President Donald Trump, Snow makes a habit of attending protest events of the "Indivisible" sort, waving a large Trump flag and bellowing into his megaphone.
The effect is that of a cartoonish heel wrestling character from the 20th Century. Performance art: an attempt to lampoon and discredit the energy of left-liberal protests.
However, Snow is also a big guy — big enough to seem physically imposing to smaller people, for sure.
Snow has been able to make it work throughout his time in Jacksonville, with successful provocation outside the Bill Clinton event in Jacksonville in October of last year, effective disruption of a protest of Rep. John Rutherford, and other such events.
Ironically, one of his earliest provocations was a protest put forth by the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition in August.
Ironic, as it was a JPC protest that went sideways on Friday night, with protesters physically subjugated then arrested — as is now being reported by the London Daily Mail.
A notable thing about that particular protest in Hemming Park: the approach of the police officers seemed more akin to the laissez-faire handling of squabbles between the regulars who convene in the plaza than managing a protest.
Snow was permitted to romp in and through the protest, standing shoulder to shoulder with speakers while waving his Trump flag and provoking them.
Then, at the 1:47 mark of the video on the Daily Mail page, it appeared that Snow nudged a protester into a police officer, which proved to be the catalyst for the chaos that followed.
...
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on April 10, 2017, 05:17:37 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on April 10, 2017, 05:07:40 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on April 10, 2017, 04:29:27 PM
Quote from: JBTripper on April 10, 2017, 03:46:19 PM
This Gary Snow dude seems like a Class A jackwagon, but that Instagram photo with the Chicago PD is very obviously fake. Don't give up the moral high ground by using outright falsehoods to smear someones character when the video speaks for itself.
Actually the photo has been around for three years now and this joker has it posted to one of his many FB pages without a disclaimer saying it is false which is curious in and of itself. He was asked about it by Folio and claimed it is fake and that he has been trying to get down for three years. It may well be and if I find out it is I will follow up with a clarification. Many of his own postings and statements that are incriminating and being exposed from his many FB pages are being quickly removed by him. He is man whose own words and actions will in the end exposed and discredit him.
The Instagram is fake at a glance. The background behind the letters is different than the white surrounding background, it's a very poor photoshop. JBTripper is right, the video (of burning and shooting the Pan-African Flag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-African_flag) speaks for itself, no need to spread falsehoods.
Check above. I have changed the image for one that is verified as being Snow. I don't do Instagram so things like you noted would not be recognized by me. Do you know how to post video so that a visual is in the post? That is actually what I would like to do here.
Excellent. And unfortunately I've never figured out how to embed a video here. Unlike pictures it's not at all user friendly.
This formal statement just released from JSO Sheriff Mike Williams.
(http://i.imgur.com/n9hpo8g.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/ZLiEzyh.jpg)
From WJCT
Jacksonville attorney John Phillips said he's conducting a review of what happened during a Hemming Park protest Friday as he prepares to represent at least one of those arrested.
Several protesters were arrested during a demonstration against last week's U.S. airstrikes in Syria. Philips said he's reviewing all available evidence of what led to the arrests.
"We start today and we're going to investigate," he said on "First Coast Connect" Monday. "We don't do just an over the weekend investigation and say this crime was violated or not and investigate all the parties."
As widely circulated videos show, chaos broke out between protesters, one counter-protester and police. Five protesters were arrested on felony charges, including inciting a riot, resisting arrest and battery on an officer.
One shaky video showed what looks like the start of the scuffle with police when a counter-protester, who said his name is Gary Snow, gives a middle finger to protester Connell Crooms. When Crooms appears to lunge toward Snow, police took Crooms down. Snow said protesters were taking his belongings.
Click link for full story.
http://news.wjct.org/post/jacksonville-attorney-investigating-downtown-protest-jso-reviewing-protocol
In regard to what was assumed to be JSO protocol in Jacksonville regarding separating protesters, there is no firm policy doing that in our city. That may change.
Quote of Sheriff Williams via WJCT. "Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said in an emailed statement officers don't tell groups where to stand during protests.
"As per protest planning protocol, we don't tell groups where to go, but we do tell them what they can and cannot lawfully do — and specifically what actions may result in arrest," he said.
He said protesters are encouraged to respond to agitators in a calm demeanor and must refrain from physical violence. However, he said the incident has prompted him to look into how JSO manages protests.
"I am working with my leadership team to determine what new protocols may be put into place to successfully manage these events moving forward," Williams said."
(http://i.imgur.com/tzgskEJ.jpg)
Quote: Action News Jax asked Snow whether he interrupted or disturbed the protest, as described in this statute.
RELATED: Organizations call for independent investigation into arrests at Hemming Park protest
"Oh no, I don't feel like I did," Snow said. "They have the right to be out there as much as I have the right to be out there."
Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson disagrees, saying the statute should apply to this case.
"It applies. But it's discretionary for officers to make arrests," said Carson.
Drinking from a mug that says "liberal tears" and waving a Pres. Donald Trump flag, you've probably seen Snow on our news, or on social media before.
You may have also seen a video of Snow burning and shooting at a Pan-African flag.
"I regret making the video. Yeah. But, you know, this was me in my way of standing up to a symbol of racism," said Snow. "They're black nationalists, they're black supremacists, you know? They're racists."
For full story, click this link: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/florida-law-banning-interruption-of-lawful-assembly-never-applied-to-gary-snow/511255336
Multiple organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's use of force at a protest at Hemming Park on Friday night.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/organizations-call-for-independent-investigation-into-arrests-at-hemming-park-protest/511236958
Quote from: Snaketoz on April 09, 2017, 08:50:17 AM
Gary Snow seems to me to be the agitator and main cause of this melee. I've watched many videos and I am amazed that only the people who were not Trump fans were arrested. If someone starts a protest and someone of another position starts to harass, takeover, heckle, and disrupt, what should police do? In Jacksonville the police arrest the people who's beliefs are different than their own. Shameful.
How do you know what the police "believe"?
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 11, 2017, 08:32:59 AM
The single most pernicious sentiment poisoning our country: black people who stand up for themselves and decry racism are in fact the racists, and that minorities can somehow discriminate and take away the power of the majority race whose power is firmly entrenched.
I completely agree.
Seems there are two things here: Snow's actions provoking the demonstrators, and then how the police responded once the altercation started. People are going to have different opinions as to whether the police acted reasonably or unreasonably after it started, but judging by what can be seen in the videos, I don't see how else they could've acted. Regardless of "who started it", at least 4 of the arrests are of people who can be seen in the videos not complying with officers or openly fighting them.
Before the altercation is another story. Moving forward, the best solution seems to be for JSO to have some new protocols on policing demonstrations to (attempt to) keep them from escalating to the point we saw Friday. Keeping protesters separate, as is done in some places and contexts, would seem to be worth looking into. That way they can de-escalate situations instead of having to go in to deal with a fight that's already started. Fortunately, it sounds like the Sheriff's Office is looking into that.
The protest organizers also would benefit from tightening down their ship. When their members reacted to Snow, and especially when they started fighting with the police, they gave him exactly what he wanted.
Quote from: funwithteeth on April 09, 2017, 10:05:49 AM
You expect U.S. citizens to protest something the U.S. wasn't involved in?
Bashar al-Assad cares deeply what the citizens of Jacksonville have to say.
Quote from: I-10east on April 09, 2017, 02:04:18 AM
One thing about Florida, it tends to stay away from that pernicious 'marching down the street, blocking highways, throwing molotovs at CVSs, beating on people with a differing political view, Guy Fawkes rioting far left type of culture'. Hopefully that crap with stay in San Fran, Portland, Austin, Baltimore, St Louis etc etc etc. Once you go to the left deep end, there's no turning back.
There's a reason why most of the center to right cities are growing faster than the far leftist cities (where everything is about climate change and social justice rather than jobs and civility). Hopefully Jax don't let that horrible far leftist culture take over, or we are gonna be the next Detroit.
LOL.. c'mon do you really believe the crap you spout.
Quote from: finehoe on April 11, 2017, 11:47:06 AM
Quote from: funwithteeth on April 09, 2017, 10:05:49 AM
You expect U.S. citizens to protest something the U.S. wasn't involved in?
Bashar al-Assad cares deeply what the citizens of Jacksonville have to say.
I mean, maybe BridgeTroll knew about a secret Syrian embassy here in Jacksonville where these same protesters could have lodged complaints about the atrocities in that country.
Quote from: funwithteeth on April 11, 2017, 12:46:49 PM
Quote from: finehoe on April 11, 2017, 11:47:06 AM
Quote from: funwithteeth on April 09, 2017, 10:05:49 AM
You expect U.S. citizens to protest something the U.S. wasn't involved in?
Bashar al-Assad cares deeply what the citizens of Jacksonville have to say.
I mean, maybe BridgeTroll knew about a secret Syrian embassy here in Jacksonville where these same protesters could have lodged complaints about the atrocities in that country.
Perhaps the large well established Syrian community would have appreciated the support... But you go ahead with your excuses...
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-dec-a-look-at-jacksonvilles-arab-american-community/page/
Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 11, 2017, 01:07:24 PM
Perhaps the large well established Syrian community would have appreciated the support...
Like I'm sure they appreciate your support in resettling Syrian refugees in the US. Oh, wait...
Quote from: finehoe on April 11, 2017, 01:40:59 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 11, 2017, 01:07:24 PM
Perhaps the large well established Syrian community would have appreciated the support...
Like I'm sure they appreciate your support in resettling Syrian refugees in the US. Oh, wait...
Wait what?
(http://i.imgur.com/Epwfuxx.png)
Police broke up a protest of Syrian airstrikes last week in Florida after witnesses say a President Donald Trump supporter provoked fights.
Six demonstrators were arrested and one was hospitalized Friday evening after a man carrying a Trump flag and another man disrupted the protest at Jacksonville's Hemming Park, reported WOKV-FM.
Protest organizer Dan Schneider led anti-war chants during the demonstration, and police said demonstrator Connell Crooms "changed the dynamic of the crowd" by speaking out against police brutality against black men.
Officers said the man with the Trump flag and another man then shouted pro-police statements through their own megaphone.
Crooms, who is deaf, tried to take the flag, and an officer tried to separate the two men — but they violently arrested the anti-war protester after he again tried to grab the flag.
An officer punched Crooms multiple times as the protester insisted he'd done nothing wrong. Crooms was later hospitalized for injuries suffered during his arrest.
Officers arrested several other people for fighting, and event organizer Schneider was also taken into custody after he tried to leave.
One man, Robert Sheffield Jr., was arrested for throwing water on a woman because he voted for Trump and she was a Democrat, and police were unable to verify his claim that the woman had struck him.
Witnesses said police were unable to keep anti-war protesters separated from counter-protesters, and they blamed the fighting on a Trump supporter named William Garrett Nix, who also goes by Gary Snow, reported Folio Weekly.
One protester said Snow, who was wearing a black vest with Trump's name and the number 45 on it, repeatedly shoved his camera into demonstrators' faces and tried to start fights
Some protesters asked police to stop Snow — who activists say is affiliated with white nationalist groups — before the fights broke out, witnesses told the newspaper.
Snow's name turns up in local media reports expressing support for police, and Folio Weekly reported that he seeks out like-minded individuals on social media by using the hashtags "whitepower," "whitepride" and "patriots."
For full story click link below.
http://www.rawstory.com/2017/04/right-wing-troll-blamed-for-sparking-chaos-at-jacksonville-anti-trump-war-protest/
(http://i.imgur.com/vWP6wqB.jpg)
Here is a statement from the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition
Jacksonville Progressive Coalition on Hemming Park 5 Incident
Date: April 10, 2017
Firstly, we want it to be known that we are a coalition of peace and social justice activists and organizations, and as such, we hold nonviolence as one of our core principles. We even offer trainings to other groups in nonviolence. (As you can imagine, our phones have been ringing off the hook by groups asking to gain some expertise in this area.) But no system is perfect, especially if law enforcement is not invested in keeping the peace.
We believe that the incident which broke out in Hemming Park on April 7 was entirely preventable. There was a large police presence for the small number of demonstrators on hand (60-70). The police were asked by organizers to separate the counter demonstrators from us and were refused. We have been peacefully demonstrating in Hemming Park and other locations around the city for five years, all without incident.
We call upon Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, and the State Attorney Melissa Nelson to begin immediate and transparent investigations into private security and police actions (and inactions) in Hemming Park on Friday, April 7, 2017.
We call upon the State Attorney's office to review the multiple videos of the incident and to interview eyewitnesses. We feel confident that if this is done, none of these hefty charges will stand.
We call upon the media to cease creating reports based solely upon the Jacksonville Sheriff Office's information, and to reach out to organizers for comments, to review video footage, and to interview people who were present before crafting a narrative of events. We believe in the First Amendment guarantee of Freedom of the Press, as well as Freedom of Speech. We hope that the media representatives in our community will work together with us to ensure the continuation of both of these rights enshrined in our nation's constitution.
We want to offer heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Jacksonville for their outpouring of support. We were able to raise all five arrestees' bail bonds (totaling over $150,000) in a short amount of time, and over $6,000 for their medical expenses, as well.
Finally, we wish for people to know that the Mr. Sheffield who was also arrested that evening was not a part of our demonstration. He is unknown to us, and we know no more about the events leading to his arrest than the general public.
(http://i.imgur.com/PpaQyRk.jpg)
Jax Sheriff: Gary Snow a 'catalyst' of Hemming Park protest melee
A Friday evening Jacksonville protest against military action in Syria, went ugly, with multiple protesters being arrested, and one getting medical treatment.
Meanwhile, counter-protester Gary Snow, a fixture at Jacksonville protests on the left and political events on the right for almost a year now, escaped without charges.
However, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams told us on Tuesday that Snow in fact was a "catalyst" of the melee between protesters and police in Hemming Park — and that the JSO is reviewing video of the event along with procedure.
"That event Friday — he clearly was a catalyst," Williams said of the violence that occurred.
"We had dozens and dozens of protests in Jacksonville, peacefully. We've got a great working relationship with the [Jacksonville] Progressive Coalition and many other groups in that protest."
When asked about the "incite to riot" charges against some of the protesters on the other side, who had been baited by Snow, as well as at Florida Statute prohibiting interruption of lawful assembly, Williams noted that the ultimate fate of those charges — and potentially others — rests on documentary evidence.
"We have about 15 videos right now, and we're going to look at every aspect of that, including 'is there anyone who did not get charged who should be charged', so we're going to look at that and see, in addition to looking at operational fixes for us," Williams said.
Click link for full story:
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/235900-235900
Jacksonville Sheriff: JSO could charge more protesters involved in Friday violence
Snow is seen in video and still images sitting on an officer's vehicle. Some protesters have questioned why some of the anti-war protesters were arrested for inciting a riot, but Snow was not detained and charged. Snow, along with getting in the face of opposing protestors, was confrontational and made lewd gestures as the situation escalated.
When asked if Snow could be charged, Williams said, "we're going to evaluate those videos. We will see (if there is) anyone who was not charged that should be on either side ... if there is evidence in the video that supports that."
When asked if Snow would be handled differently in the future, Williams said, "we will manage the entire protest differently." He said his office is talking with attorneys with the Office of General Counsel and the State Attorney's Office as they develop rules and protocols for future events.
For full story click link.
http://jacksonville.com/news/public-safety/2017-04-11/jacksonville-sheriff-jso-could-charge-more-protesters-involved-friday
For a guy who is supposedly all about law and order, policing etc and who gloated that some protesters got what they deserved because they resisted arrest, the just in. Action News Jax learned on Monday night that Snow pleaded guilty to resisting law enforcement in 2008 in Indiana.
Justice for the Jax5 Community Planning Meeting & Support Day
Friday 04/14/17 6:30 PM - 8 PM
966 N Liberty St, Jacksonville, FL 32206-5660
Come out to show support to those brutally beaten and arrested by the police in Jacksonville this past weekend while peacefully demonstrating for an end to war in Syria. We will be discussing next steps and releasing new information about the struggle to get justice for the #Jax5.
Connell Crooms was attacked by JSO and beaten unconscious.
Tom Beckham was taken down by JSO, choked, and almost passed out.
Christina Kittle was grabbed and slammed down by JSO, then hauled away.
William Wilder was choked by JSO and punched repeatedly in the face.
Dave Schneider was taken into JSO custody for organizing the peace demonstration.
We will be holding a planning meeting of many of the major organizations in Jacksonville inside the IBEW Hall at 966 N Liberty Street at 6pm this Friday, April 14th. We want everyone who cares about peace and justice to attend
We will be demanding that the State Attorney drop all the charges, and that a full investigation into JSO is conducted including looking into:
*Police Misconduct & Brutality
*Police surveillance & targeting of union leaders and community activists.
*Any ties between JSO and white supremacist organizations or individuals.
For those who plan to protest this is important information. Know the law and know your rights. This is from the ACLU.
The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy. But it is also unfortunately true that governments and police can violate this right – through the use of mass arrests, illegal use of force, criminalization of protest, and other means intended to thwart free public expression.
Standing up for your right to protest can be challenging, especially when demonstrations are met with violence. But knowing your rights is the most powerful weapon you have against police abuse. Read on to learn what you need to know before heading out to exercise your constitutionally protected right to protest.
For entire article click the link.
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-your-rights-are-violated-demonstration-or-protest
^ Thanks for posting that. In my opinion, numbers 8 & 9 from the list are by far the most important.
Too often, protestors "knowing their rights" leads them to feel empowered to argue with police. Arguing with police almost never ends well.
You are most welcome. Over the decades I have found out that people sometimes have no idea that policies and laws in one state are very different than another. There are also Federal laws that apply to all. Sadly because most people are fair minded and want justice they assume that politicians and legislators are protecting their rights and the sanctity of our constitution, when in fact many today are trying to rip away our rights and protections. It is up to us to be informed and proactive. It would also be helpful if there was a return to basic civics classes in our schools. Too many people are clueless to how our government works and that leads them to be shocked when things happen that they long believed they were protected from. We must claim and own our democratic beliefs to make it work.
There has been a new and disturbing video discovered posted by Gary Snow that he put on You Tube the day before the upset in Hemming Park. His intentions and target is very, very clear.
Folio, story by CLAIRE GOFORTH
In a YouTube video Gary Snow posted on April 6, one day before videos of cops beating and arresting protesters in Hemming Park made international news, he jokes with and mocks a young woman holding up a "Refugees Welcome" sign and waving a rainbow flag at the Jacksonville Landing. One minute and two seconds into the undated video, entitled "Trolling the Liberals at our President Trump rally Jacksonville FL," a fairly jovial Snow, who sings and drinks from a cup of yellowish liquid, says to the woman, "Mike didn't want to show up. Connell, Connell didn't want to show up. Dave Schneider, Dave, Dave Schneider didn't want to show up.... They sent the women in to do their work for them." Snow later says, "I'm still out here fucking with these motherfuckers ... Call Mike, tell him to come out here. Call Dave, call Connell, tell him to come out here."
Connell Crooms and Dave Schneider were two of the five protesters among those beaten and arrested by Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Hemming Park on April 7, one day after this video was posted. In a phone interview this afternoon, Snow repeatedly refused to say when the video was filmed.
For full story click the link.
http://folioweekly.com/stories/did-gary-snow-target-the-hemming-park-5,17329
He's right. I've talked to them.
Gary Snow is at every rally. He literally gets in the face of every speaker. Waving giant confederate flags directly in the speakers face so no one can see them and yelling into his bullhorn pointed at the microphone so that no one can hear them. He's all about the suppression of free speech. In addition he literally gets in people's faces. Like an inch away and says and yells obnoxious things at them. He's been trying to initiate violence for months. I've personally watched it. I've personally videotaped him expecting violence to erupt. The restraint of the protesters has been amazing. The restraint of the Sheriffs dept. has been negligent at best if not complicit. Gary Snow should have been arrested months ago. I've seen them grin as Gary attempts to start violence. The Sheriffs dept. has been waiting gleefully for this moment. They even let him regularly drink alcohol in public while he harasses people.
Quote from: SettledinJAX on April 14, 2017, 05:04:12 PM
He's right. I've talked to them.
Gary Snow is at every rally. He literally gets in the face of every speaker. Waving giant confederate flags directly in the speakers face so no one can see them and yelling into his bullhorn pointed at the microphone so that no one can hear them. He's all about the suppression of free speech. In addition he literally gets in people's faces. Like an inch away and says and yells obnoxious things at them. He's been trying to initiate violence for months. I've personally watched it. I've personally videotaped him expecting violence to erupt. The restraint of the protesters has been amazing. The restraint of the Sheriffs dept. has been negligent at best if not complicit. Gary Snow should have been arrested months ago. I've seen them grin as Gary attempts to start violence. The Sheriffs dept. has been waiting gleefully for this moment. They even let him regularly drink alcohol in public while he harasses people.
It would be helpful if you would let the Sheriff know what you witnessed in the past and what you perceived was the response of officers. It is important that all the facts are known and needed information shared which would include any past video that evidences his antics.
(http://i.imgur.com/BLrXlqZ.jpg)
This is an excellent piece that was posted today on William Garret Snow a/k/a Gary Now. There is tons of information and attached video. Definitely worth a read and should concern all in Jacksonville because this fella has shown up on our doorstep.
From the article: Other Events Refused and Some Officers Asked Snow Not to Come Around:
As a result of additional rejections of his group, Snow posted, "Events are planned...... We will not be asking permission in order for us to show support for our police officers and law enforcement. We have several events planned and in the making, and will notify as soon as they are finalized. We the people can make a difference......We can make the changes."
As he told the news, "I'm not angry, I'm more upset. Every time we try to throw an event, every time we try to throw a rally, we hear the same thing: 'Hey, we really appreciate your efforts, but can you not do it?' or 'Can you reschedule it? or 'Just not here,'" Snow said.
He left a 1-star review for "The Magnificent Mile," an upscale section of Chicago's Michigan Avenue and popular tourist site in Chicago, even claiming its President "took a swing" at him.
Race Baiting via Chicago Blue Website:
By April, he uploaded some inflammatory videos. It was all seemingly designed to portray a concept of "us" versus "them"... with the "us" being Snow and law enforcement (who he even admits evidence that they really didn't support him) and the "them" being those protesting causes he opposed.
Snow Defends Himself to Police Accusing Him of Scamming
After the repeated rejection of his self-serving ways, Snow's own website reveals the lack of trust he had in Chicago with a blog entitled, "Chicago Code BLUE wishes to earn the trust of CPD officers." This has since been removed.
He states:
"It has been brought to our attentions that some CPD officers feel that the organizers in CCB are "opportunists" or "scammers". We will be working with the CPD to try and help reassure the officers that are intentions are STRICTLY to support their efforts to police our streets. We are a citizen community based group and our members have no affiliation, or family members, with the CPD. We are the citizens you officers took an oath to protect, and we feel its our obligation to show you support and try to help uplift the moral of the officers during these tough times of public scrutiny.
Have have not yet had the opportunity to prove ourselves to the CPD community, and we ask that you allow us the chance. We are a self funded group and any fundraiser is to help with supplies needed for our planned events and rallies."
And:
There has been an issue with our intentions with the T-shirt fundraisers. Some think this is a "Scam" and we are trying to use the popularity of the police crisis to profit for ourselves. THIS IS A LIE.....and only a few people within the police department have bothered to reach out to us and ask us what are intentions were with the fundraisers. Did we go about setting up the fundraisers the right way.....probably not,"
And as it relates to Officer Van Dyke, which will be discussed shortly, Snow posted (referring to himself in the third person):
One of our members efforts to help the Van Dyke family was started with only good intentions. As this case is the most sensitive at this moment in time, his efforts were only to show support for officer Van Dyke and try to help by any means necessary. Again, his inexperience at attempting to help and support has been perceived by some CPD officers as "malicious" in nature, and that he was seeking to profit. He has been working with some friends of the Van Dyke family, and will properly help show support from this point going forward. Any suggestions at how the citizens can help the Van Dyke family will be much appreciated, as we are not affiliated with the police department or its procedures.
At that point, he had a "Jason Van Dyke is Innocent" Facebook page, which is no longer active. He also had a gofundme page, which he admits was started without Van Dyke's knowledge or consent. It appears Officer Van Dyke's family put a stop to that; with others accused Snow of some species of fraud or misrepresentation. More about this will be discussed.
As such, Snow's own webpage reveals that Chicago police rejected him fairly quickly as an "opportunist" and as someone who simply was using tragedy within and scrutiny of the law enforcement community to profit or push his own agenda.
Snow Selling Shirts For Profit:
Snow used Chicago Code Blue to sell shirts at $15.00 a piece. In addition to selling shirts depicting the Chicago Police Department's logos and trademarks, he has sold shirts arguably invading Donald Trump's trademarks and using the name of an indicted officer for profit without permission from the officer's family. Most shirt listings are now inactive:
For entire story including pictures, video's and links click below
http://floridajustice.com/biography-provocateur-william-garrett-snow-jr-aka-gary-snow-gary-nix/
(http://i.imgur.com/1Wp8U6H.jpg)
Unbiased and indepth reporting by Times Union right here.
The elephant in the room is why provocateur William Garret "Gary" Snow and his actions appear nowhere in police reports or original police dialog. One thing is also very clear, had William Garret Snow a/k/a Gary Snow, an unknown police wannbe from another state not been present and agitating in our city , this melee would never have happened. Local citizens with a history of non violent protest would not have been targeted by him shoved, pushed, insulted and more. He should be held accountable for his provocations that were very much a catalyst of this mess and charged. He can't be immune to standards all of our citizens are held to. Sheriff Williams has already publicly stated that Snow was a "catalyst". So the question is why was he was not also arrested for "inciting a riot" considering the non violence of several, not all of those arrested for the same, with no hard evidence to support that their intent on April 7th was to start a riot? Why such a serious charge leveled at members of a group with a history of peaceful protest? Yes they did some things wrong when interacting with police but they did not start a riot. Looking to things like refusing to stop using a megaphone when agitator Snow was also using a voice amplifier, flies in the face of just treatment. This was a conflict but not a riot, nothing close to that. An upset young woman who hits and slaps at an officers shoulder may have made a mistake and can be charged but is not a criminal deserving being thrown to the ground and manhandled like she was. I mean really? Give her a reprimand and send her on her way. Let's hope that a full investigation creates adjustments to the original JSO dialog and a review of original arrest reports, that left out the instigator in all of this named Gary Snow are updated and revised. JSO needs to to preserve the public expectation of equitable action in policing at all levels and arrest reports need to reflect all facts. JSO's credibility is being questioned as to why such force was used on citizens who have shown themselves to be peaceful protesters in the past, most of them young folks with no police records what-so-ever which is not the case with Snow who was once was arrested in another state for resisting arrest a felony there. As a person with relatives who are now and have been Sheriffs in other states and several officers who are relatives as well, a supporter of JSO, and all the very good and giving officers in the department, I want the public to have complete faith in the fairness of the JSO and the SAO. My sense of justice in this situation tells me that there is a serious problem that needs to be identified and corrected in order for all the good officers of JSO, the department itself and the Sheriff are to remain respected and credible in eyes of the people My hope comes along with the desire that even those who hold differing political views are treated in the same equitable and "understanding" manner while exercising their constitutional rights. As long as Gary Snow is uncharged for his part in this mess, justice is not being served here. Pulling someone's mike cord or the shouting of slurs, breaking a rule about mega phones and even a young woman hitting the shoulder of an officer does not equate to some of the serious charges or handling of those charged while Snow simply walked away from the mess he created. Plenty went wrong on April 7th all the way around. The court and attorneys need to sort this all out but it is my firm belief as a decades long JSO supporter who respects the Sheriff himself, that this situation should have been handled more effectively with less violence. I have faith in you JSO to get this right. Please don't disappoint one of your most steadfast supporters and others like me. I am woman who has worked with the agency for a long time in the past, count's many members as loved and respected friends, who supports all the good PAL does along with the efforts of the FOP and the many wonderful officers who are the majority of the JSO force. I also respect the right of all to peaceful protests by average citizens here and across the nation. I honestly believe that the handling of this episode with JSO who swarmed this event in response to a call was over the top force on unarmed citizens. One troublemaker had his mic cord pulled and two got into a shoving match over it. JSO's presence and approach created panic not calm That is not what should have happened in this incident. When citizens like myself speak, those who build bridges in constructive ways to improve our city become alarmed, it is time to listen. We as a city determine the type of policing we have and what we want is equitable and fairness in the actions and reporting of our police department. My words come with respect for the JSO and average citizens who speak out against a government that is not adequately representing all.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-04-15/what-happened-april-7-between-jacksonville-police-and-protesters-hemming-park
(http://i.imgur.com/5wl2Dnj.jpg)
Snow is sticking to his mo and has created a FB page called Jacksonville Code Blue. He has himself featured in some of the posts and has taken it upon himself to use the JSO shield to promote it. This is not a JSO site.
https://www.facebook.com/JAXCodeBLUE/?pnref=story
State Attorney Melissa Nelson has dropped the charges against protest organizers, Connell Crooms and Dave Schneider. The other three opted a guily plea but will not be convicted of the crimes. Christina Kittle, Thomas Beckham and William Wilder have to perform 25 hours of community service as part of their guilty plea deals. Their arraignments are scheduled for Friday morning. Nelson said the state has agreed to withhold adjudication, meaning the three won't be convicted.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-01/breaking-state-attorney-melissa-nelson-drops-charges-against-two-hemming-park
From the Times Union.
Prosecutors considered six different charges against Snow, but ultimately it decided not to pursue any of them. If the organizers had received a permit to hold the rally, the state said in its document,Snow would have been charged on one or more of six charges considered. Quote: Nelson's office also reviewed filing criminal charges against Gary Snow, a counter-protester who jawed back and forth with Crooms, raising his middle finger in Crooms' face. It was after Snow's gesture that Crooms began walking toward Snow. An officer grabbed Crooms and tried to detain him.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-01/state-attorney-melissa-nelson-drops-charges-against-two-hemming-park
Sheriff Mike Williams also told Gary Snow to remove the JSO shield from his site Code Blue. He has no affiliation with the department and they want none with him.
Did Snow have the right to express his opinion in public? YES.
Did Snow physically touch anyone first? NO.
Was Snow physically attacked in a place he had a legal right to be? YES.
Elementary Civics here, People.
In other words: "Sticks and stones..." In America, you don't get a license to physically attack someone because of what they say, or where they have a right to be.
Quote from: DTJAXEYE on June 02, 2017, 01:24:50 AM
Did Snow have the right to express his opinion in public? YES.
Did Snow physically touch anyone first? NO.
Was Snow physically attacked in a place he had a legal right to be? YES.
Elementary Civics here, People.
In other words: "Sticks and stones..." In America, you don't get a license to physically attack someone because of what they say, or where they have a right to be.
Snow yelled fire in a crowded theater.
According to the article, Snow was never charged with anything related to this incident and will not be. So it's a moot point.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 02, 2017, 10:33:37 AM
According to the article, Snow was never charged with anything related to this incident and will not be. So it's a moot point.
The State Attorney took the correct actions in all of this. As far as Snow and his actions, he is now a known entity and is seen rather clearly by the JSO and the public. It is interesting to note however that the State Attorney did look at six different potential charges against Snow and further stated that had the protesters gotten a permit for their gathering Snow would have indeed been charged on a number of charges. Long story short is that Snow wanted attention and he got it. The upshot of that is that the attention he so desired has exposed him as an agitator and protagonist. Sheriff Williams himself stated that Snow was a catalyst in all of this mess. The thing that is so unfortunate is that for whatever reason this man, who has a history of attempting to align himself with policing agencies to feel empowered and protected while he agitates, chose to come to Jacksonville. He did the same thing in Chicago and the Police Department there publicly stated they had no connection with him and further made sure he did not march in a parade representing their officers or department, something he had planned to do. I have been told in my discussions with top brass at JSO that Sheriff has no connection to, nor is aligned with Gary Snow in any way and neither is the department. I was told the same by the local FOP president. The agencies now understand how he operates. Snow brought his one man show to Jacksonville and in a matter of months became the catalyst of an unfortunate incident that hurt many, many people. This incident would never have taken place had this man not come here to act out his imagined self importance as "one man against many" a statement he made about himself. A legend in his own mind Snow had tagged himself as a "deplorable" on FB and honestly the tag fits.
(http://i.imgur.com/eGR8x6p.jpg)
Quote: Gary Snow
One...... against many
The ignorance displayed tonight was overwhelming. Groups used this time to talk not about the body camera program..... but to attack Sheriff Mike Williams and myself.
#Deplorable
(the above his post about himself in which he attempts to align himself with the Sheriff. There were no attacks against the Sheriff during this town hall meeting, however it was at this meeting that Sheriff himself instructed Snow to remove the JSO shield from his Code Blue Page on FB, which has now been done but he still has the shield tagged to his website when a search is used, against the Sheriffs wishes.)
The protest resulted in violence between police and protesters. Gary Snow, a counter-protester hoisting a Trump flag, pushed his middle finger toward Crooms' face, and prosecutors said if Crooms hadn't dodged, Snow would've hit him.
JSO INVESTIGATION STILL ONGOING
Shortly after taking over the State Attorney's Office, Nelson created a human-rights division that investigates police abuse, alongside elder abuse, human trafficking and hate crimes. "The Human Rights Division investigates unlawful conduct by law enforcement," her spokesman said. "We did not observe any unlawful conduct during our review. Any questions about police tactics should be directed to JSO."
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's own administrative investigation is ongoing, according to senior spokeswoman Lauri-Ellen Smith. "This is to determine if there were any violations of department policy during the Hemming Plaza incident."
She said Sheriff Mike Williams supported Nelson's decision to drop two of the protesters' charges and to offer plea deals to the three other
Click link for full story.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-06-02/three-hemming-park-protesters-convictions-withheld-jacksonville-sheriff-s