Police Begin Investigations Into Michigan Protest Incidents

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO DECEMBER 17, 2012, 11:35 AM

Michigan State Police now have opened investigations related to the two highest-profile incidents to emerge from last week’s right-to-work protests at the capital complex in Lansing. A state police spokesperson confirmed to TPM Friday that investigations are looking into the collapse of a conservative group’s tent during the protests last Tuesday as well as the punching of a Fox News personality caught on camera.

Labor groups, which brought more than 10,000 protesters to Lansing to protest right-to-work legislation that sailed through the Republican-controlled state legislature last week, have distanced themselves from both incidents. Conservative groups say the collapse of the Americans For Prosperity tent and the punching of Fox News contributor Steven Crowder — both of which created a viral video sensation in the days following the protests — are prime examples of union thuggery.

State police spokesperson Shanon Banner confirmed to TPM that AFP activists and Crowder have officially reported the incidents to the police, kicking off investigations.

Crowder, who initially drew criticism from the state police when he declined to press charges for days after he was punched on camera, asked police Friday to look into the incident.

-snip-

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/12/police-steven-crowder-afp-tent.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

[Lint Head]

1. The incident fell flat in the media so Crowder is pushing it for his fame to be spread like

Andrew Breathfart.

[zeemike]

7. No they got what they wanted out of it.

Which was the news story about the union "thugs"
and they know their audience will believe that and never follow up to find out the truth.
Crowder may be sorry he did that....cause he may just get caught committing a crime....but fox news will not report it and so the fox news viewers will never know.

[Rain Mcloud]

2. Crowder and the Laissez Faire thugs need to be charged

for attempting to incite a riot.
Somehow i doubt this investigation is going to go their way.

[Tempest]

3. The video will prove Crowley instigated the situation

Along with witness statements.

Will he be brought up on charges for incitement?

[maindawg]

4. dude went there looking for trouble

Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 07:43 PM - Edit history (1)

he got his wish, and now, he may get to face charges.

[Festivito]

5. I hope that video is subpoenaed by the investigation and made public.

"AFP activists and Crowder" made complaints. Hmm. After taking their video out of the state to make the subpoena process longer?

Some said AFP brought down its own tent, AFP "strenuously denies" that. (I wonder why that would be a strain? Were they trying to find out if that was on video as well? Oops!)

Union protesters helped rescue AFP from under their tent.

[Festivito]

6. Also, there is a third incident. A hot dog vendor.

It was mentioned quickly on Public TV's "Off the Record."

There was not much in the way of details.

[zeemike]

8. Yep....and the vendor said on tape

That two union "thugs" who were masked destroyed his cart....but he never filed a complaint about it.
Perhaps he knows that it is a crime to file a false police report.
But the right is playing this up as "thuggery" and have raised 33k to compensate him...(for his testimony I suppose)

[Festivito]

12. Turns a profit despite not reporting it for insurance purposes.

By the time the truth comes out, the lie will be fifty times around the world.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. I think the UAW should join the audience ...

... surrounding the Westboro Baptist Church "congregation".

The Youtube would go viral.

[Demeter]

10. Are they going to find out WHY police had the nerve to pepper spray people exercising civil rights?

Protest, Assembly, Petitioning the Government, stuff like that?

[Kuhbner]

11. That Was A Set-Up By Fox News