Political Melee in Hemming Park results in several arrests.

[SettledinJAX]

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.

[Cheshire Cat]

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.

[Cheshire Cat]

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/

[Cheshire Cat]

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

[Cheshire Cat]

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

[Cheshire Cat]

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

[Cheshire Cat]

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

[Cheshire Cat]

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.

[DTJAXEYE]

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.

[Jim]

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.

[Tacachale]

According to the article, Snow was never charged with anything related to this incident and will not be. So it's a moot point.

[Cheshire Cat]

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. 

[Cheshire Cat]

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.) 

[Cheshire Cat]

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