Woman violently arrested for playing the Banjo

[Dr Hobbitstein]

39. Official Statement from Philly NHP

"On Saturday, August 31, pro marijuana organizations gathered on People’s Plaza at Independence NHP to hold a public assembly (First Amendment Event) without a permit but providing the park with advance notice of their intention to gather and participate in civil disobedience, as they had in previous events.

Despite the fact that the group did not have a previously approved permit, the park allowed for peaceful public assembly and free speech but intervened in instances where individuals openly violated federal law.

A small section of the park adjacent to the public assembly was temporarily closed to the public for law enforcement purposes, to provide a secure area for law enforcement officers to process suspects' citations and to tag evidence. An individual, later identified as Ms. Yates, repeatedly refused the directions of law enforcement officers to leave this small area of the park and had to be moved by uniformed Rangers. While being moved, Ms. Yates resisted, kicking and striking the Rangers. Ms. Yates was arrested and has been charged with violations of Title 18 United States Code, Section 111, Assaulting/Impeding/Resisting a Federal Officer; Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.32, Interfering with Agency Functions; and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.34, Disorderly Conduct.

At her arraignment hearing, probable cause was found for all charges. Ms Yates was released on bond pending her preliminary hearing."