Outspoken Critic Of Police Jailed For T-Shirt

[DearAbby]

BRIGHTON, Colo. An outspoken critic of police in Aurora and Denver was sentenced Wednesday to 45 days in jail for contempt of court after he attended his trial on another charge wearing a T-shirt with Crips founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams on it.

Shareef Aleem's attorney, Mark Burton, said he will appeal the sentence handed down after Aleem refused to change his shirt during his assault trial March 1.
"He's serving 45 days for wearing a T-shirt," said Burton. "We filed a motion, asserting Mr. Aleem was within his rights of free speech to wear that T-shirt."


Aleem was arrested on Feb. 3, 2005, during a University of Colorado Board of Regents meeting where regents were considering the school's response to Ward Churchill, the professor who likened Sept. 11 victims to an infamous Nazi.

His trial for allegedly assaulting an officer ended in a hung jury on March 2.
The T-shirt he was wearing featured Williams, who was recently executed, with the word "Redemption" on it.



http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_082083641.html

[Atman]

1. So what happens if I wear my underwear with Cheney's picture on 'em?

Oh, wait a minute..that's just a skidmark. Never mind.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

3. Underwear with Cheney's picture?

O'Loofah? Is that you?

[DearAbby]

5. You have a skid mark that resembles Cheney???

SELL IT ON EBAY...those rubes will buy anything :-D

[Atman]

8. Don't ALL skidmarks resemble Cheney?

Why would someone buy mine when they could so easily just create their own?

[SteppingRazor]

2. I am forced to take the muddled liberal approach...

Yes, Tookie Williams was a scumbag.

And yes, this guy sounds like an idiot.

But no, he shouldn't be locked up for 45 days for wearing a T-shirt.

[Poll_Blind]

7. I don't see it as muddled- you're logically separating elements of...

...a complex situation in hopes of addressing the real issue here. No shame in that game! No shame at all!

PB

[niyad]

4. 45 days for wearing a t-shirt? yes, indeed, they hate us for our

freedoms, things like freedom of speech. I know that CO seems to pride itself on being so very ultra-conservative (well, except for Boulder) but even here, home of the one city apart from thessalonia that tear-gassed peaceful protestors on 15 february 2003--that seems a bit absurd.

of course, we just had the case of jay bennish, who was reprimanded for suggesting that his students actually THINK for themselves, heaven forfend.

[NYCGirl]

6. Larry Flynt was jailed for six months for wearing a diaper made from an

American flag to court. In fact, he was put into a facility for the criminally insane.

[DearAbby]

9. Reminds me of MY COUSIN VINNY

Judge says "when you come into my court, you will look lawyer-ly"

They now can toss you into jail if they object to your clothing, or what is printed on it.

[Generic Other]

10. I guess I shouldn't wear a "V" for Vendetta mask to go to the supermarket?

Isn't that t-shirt advertising a movie?? Are all t-shirts with writing or pictures banned?

[CrazyOrangeCat]

11. God, what is it with T-Shirts?

Like the gal that got kicked off a Southwest flight for having a "Fuck Bush" shirt. Damn. These fascists really need to get a hobby . . .