ACLU sues on behalf of man cited for giving cop the finger (illegal, attorney)

[mascoma]

The Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is suing on behalf of a man who was charged with a crime for giving a state police trooper the middle finger.The suit filed Wednesday on behalf of Gregory Bombard, of St. Albans, argues that Trooper Jay Riggen violated his rights under both the U.S. and Vermont constitutions.
“Vermonters who want to protest the actions of police through words or gestures have a constitutionally protected right to do so,” ACLU staff attorney Jay Diaz said in a statement. “This abuse of power by a Vermont state trooper is a clear example of just how overpoliced our communities are.”

https://apnews.com/article/vermont-c...105d61239536cf


Should people have the right to flip the bird at a cop?

[Lillie767]

Originally Posted by mascoma

https://apnews.com/article/vermont-c...105d61239536cf


Should people have the right to flip the bird at a cop?

Would the ACLU be as concerned if he flipped the bird at a politician or semi-elected official?

[UrbanQuest]

As long as it’s not some sort of terroristic threat, it should be legal.

[mascoma]

Originally Posted by UrbanQuest

As long as it’s not some sort of terroristic threat, it should be legal.

The 'OK' Hand Gesture Is Now Listed As A Symbol Of Hate

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/26/76472...symbol-of-hate


If that's a symbol of hate then the middle finger could be seen as a terrorist threat, couldn't it?

[jcp123]

Seriously? The OK sign?

How did I miss that?! That is seriously beyond the pale.

Anyway, I don’t think flipping the bird should be illegal to give to a cop. If you want to have some type of legal prohibition on the middle finger, it should apply across the board, not just to cops. And that would be absurd.

[Du Ma]

Look at Vermont law for disorderly conduct

13 V.S.A. § 1026 under section (3)

It’s a legit citation. ACLU is not going to win this battle.

[rjshae]

Well it might be legal, but it would certainly draw some possibly unwelcome attention by the officer. You best be driving legally when you initiate the gesture.

[Mad_Jasper]

Originally Posted by mascoma

https://apnews.com/article/vermont-c...105d61239536cf


Should people have the right to flip the bird at a cop?

In my hometown, publicly giving the finger to anyone could get you a disorderly conduct charge. I would imagine it would be a certainty if you gave a cop the one-digit salute.

I guess it will largely depend on the laws of the state and policies of the state patrol that will determine if this lawsuit is a waste of time.

[take57]

"I was just pointing out you're #1 in my book, officer"

[rstevens62]

HA HA, maybe the little babies feel 'threatened' when someone flips them the bird?! LOL