Some of
the events the person posting as John J. Fretti described
are elaborated on in this newspaper report. -jsq
Kelli Hernandez wrote 1 May 2006 in the VDT,
Court rules arrests unconstitutional:
Case involves 15 citizens arrested and charged with disrupting a lawful meeting
The case originally surfaced after 15 Valdosta citizens were arrested
and charged with violating statute 16-11-34 (a), which provides “a
person who recklessly or knowingly commits any act which may reasonably be
expected to prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting, gathering or procession
is guilty of a misdemeanor.” Charges came after the group allegedly
disrupted a Valdosta city council meeting in May 2005. Calle Fielden
and Leigh Touchton, two of those arrested, appealed to the courts on
the grounds that the statute under which the citizens were charged was
unconstitutionally vague and broad.On April 21, 2005, Rev. Floyd Rose addressed the council