Had a conversation with some Occupy Indy folks today

[IndyPragmatist]

On my way to work, I walked by the statehouse where the Occupy Indy folks were gathering. One of them was arrested yesterday.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011110280350

"Indiana State Police said James R. Kerner, 25, Evansville, was arrested on a trespassing charge after he refused to move himself and his oversized patio umbrella, which they said was blocking a fire exit on the south side of the Indiana State Capitol."

Oddly enough, I saw this go down yesterday, but didn't realize what was going on. I just saw an officer talking to a guy in front of the door with an umbrella. I didn't know what was actually happening, but figured it out when I saw the news article.

So, back to today. As I was walking by, I saw 3 people with the patio umbrellas in the same area. I overheard one say that they were going to stand in front of the doors again today with the umbrellas, so I decided to say something.

I know the fire code in Indiana very well. I deal with the law on a daily basis, and lately, much of that has been in regards to building and fire codes. So I explained that, as silly as it sounds, James was breaking the law by standing in front of the door.

The protester said "We have the right to be out here, this is public property."

My response, "Yes, but the fire code is state law and if a building does not have enough clear exits for the occupancy, it can be considered unsafe and shut down. I know that there are plenty of other exits to the building, but the law is the law. The individual officer probably doesn't know the fire code, so he was instructed to do something by someone who does."

A different protester "That's bullshit. It was just an excuse to arrest us."

My response "No, you gave them a legitimate reason to arrest you. Their job is to enforce the laws, not interpret them. The courts do that. If there is a law that says all exits must be clear, then thats the law."

"It's a bullshit law."

"The law isn't bullshit by any means. There are many instances where people were killed because they couldn't get out of a burning building in time due to lack of clear exits. Maybe you disagree with how it is being enforced here, but the law is legitimate and there for the safety of the citizens."

"If there was a fire, James would have moved."

"The law applies at all times. Not just when a fire is occurring. The law states that exits must be clear at all times."

At this point, a couple of them thanked me for my input. One guy was being an ass and trying to argue everything (I didn't quote anything he said in my story here because he was waaaay over the top with things).



I guess I just wanted to share a little story here. I know that arrests get attention, but not all arrests are good. If you are breaking the law, you should be arrested. You can't argue the interpretation of a law with a police officer. So if you want to get attention for being arrested, it's probably better to get arrested for something that helps the movement. I'll be keeping an eye out for any arrests today on the news. I'm curious to see if they changed their plan.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. This is good insight

For those of us trying to get out there when we can - thanks so much. Had not thought of general 'safety' laws.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. A basic componant of civil disobedience is deliberately breaking bad laws to

draw attention to them.

Keeping fire exits clear is NOT a bad law.

If you want to get arrested, make them arrest you for something pertinent to the protest.

[Arctic Dave]

3. Seems weird. He must have been directly in front of it.

He should have moved a few inches wider then the egress opening and all would be cool.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Was there some sort of

dire emergency in which people were desperately trying to get out of the building and couldn't because ONE protester wouldn't move that we haven't heard about? :shrug:

[IndyPragmatist]

5. No, but the law states that exits must be clear at all times

The Indiana State Police (they have authority at the Statehouse) have been pretty cool with the protesters. When they first started the protesting, one of the officers brought ponchos to keep the protesters dry. This isn't the scale of New York or Oakland, so it's easy to control the crowd.

Honestly, I think the guy wanted to be arrested. Nobody had been in Indy yet. I just don't think you should blame the officer here because he was enforcing the law as it is written.

[Tippy]

6. K&R......Thanks for sharing this I hope it goes viral.....

Note to protestors: You will become part of the problem not the solution.....Common Sense..Other than things like this your doing great....