University of Florida Taser incident

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On September 17, 2007, police from the University of Florida forcibly removed Andrew Meyer, a 21-year-old student, from a forum with Democratic Senator John Kerry, restraining him with the help of a Taser.

Details of the event

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During a question-and-answer session with a few remaining questioners, Kerry announced he would take no more questions from the two short lines. Meyer, who reportedly had been waiting in line, rushed to an open mike and insisted that Senator Kerry answer the questions of the remaining people in both lines. Kerry agreed that it would only be fair to answer the questions of the remaining people as well. Kerry completed an answer to the other line, then returned his attention to Meyer's line and pointed at Meyer. Meyer prefaced his question for the audience and Kerry, then proceeded to ask three questions:

Why did Kerry concede the 2004 presidential election before results were tallied and despite numerous irregularities (as documented by journalist Greg Palast in his book Armed Madhouse)?
On what grounds does Kerry not support the impeachment of President George W. Bush?
Were Kerry and Bush both members of the Yale University secret society known as Skull and Bones?

Just after Meyer had asked his third and final question, the microphone into which Meyer had been speaking was cut off. After Meyer repeatedly and loudly refused to walk away, two University of Florida police officers seized him and two more began escorting him away as Kerry said, "Let me answer his question." The student pulled away and demanded an explanation of the officers' conduct. He shouted "Help!", "What have I done?" and "Get away from me!", with his arms raised in the air. All four officers began forcibly ushering him to the back of the room as Meyer resisted and attempted to stand his ground. During this time, some audience members shouted phrases such as "What has he done?", "Why are you doing this?" and "Let him go!". Once in the rear of the hall Meyer attempted again to break away from the officers. The officers wrestled him to the ground and attempted to handcuff him. As Meyer lay pinned by the five officers, they threatened to taser him. Meyer stated that if allowed up, he would gladly leave. The officer replied that this is not his choice. Meyer said "Don't tase me bro, don't tase me", but was tased shortly after. He continued screaming for help as the officers removed him from the room. During the altercation, Kerry urged everyone to calm down, made a joke and kept speaking to Meyer's question, which he referred to as "very important". Meyer was then escorted off the premises.

Legal action

Meyer was charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace. He spent one night in jail and was released the following morning. His attorney, Robert Griscti, stated he will seek to have the charges dismissed. Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, believed that excessive force was used; he said, "I would find it highly likely that is going to sue."

Fox News quoted two experts who believe Meyer could claim the use of excessive force in the incident. Attorney Karen Conti said Meyer has a good argument for excessive force since officers Tasered him when he was under control. Conti said, "I think the police officers were probably embarrassed that this was going on," Conti said. "I think they weren’t expecting anything like this and I think they overreacted." Fox News also quoted Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a free-speech group. He said the videotape(s) could help prove excessive force.

Response from university officials

University spokesman Steve Orlando said Meyer was asked to leave the microphone after his allotted time was up. The university president, J. Bernard Machen, issued a statement during a press conference saying he requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the arrest. Officials said it would determine whether the officers used an appropriate level of force. The University of Florida Police Chief has made a similar request. Machen called the situation "regretful" and announced that two officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the probe.

Student Response

Hundreds of University of Florida students marched to the steps of campus police headquarters the following day, chanting that police used excessive force and waving signs that read, "Tasers Kill." They demanded that Tasers be banned from campus, and that charges be filed against the police officers that restrained and tased Meyer.

Response from Senator Kerry

On the day following the incident, Kerry's office issued a statement:

In 37 years of public appearances, through wars, protests and highly emotional events, I have never had a dialogue end this way. I believe I could have handled the situation without interruption, but I do not know what warnings or other exchanges transpired between the young man and the police prior to his barging to the front of the line and their intervention. I asked the police to allow me to answer the question and was in the process of responding when he was taken into custody. I was not aware that a taser was used until after I left the building. I hope that neither the student nor any of the police were injured. I regret enormously that a good healthy discussion was interrupted.

Background

A local news organization describes Andrew Meyer as "a known prankster who often posts practical jokes online". Videos posted by Meyer contain pranks against Harry Potter fans along with diatribes against the media and the Iraq War. In addition, officer reports state that Meyer was "laughing and being lighthearted in the car, his demeanor completely changed once the cameras were not in sight." The report also states that Meyer asked a woman if she was recording him moments before beginning his questions.

References

^ "Florida student Tasered at Kerry forum after election question", Associated Press, September 18, 2007
^ Wilmath, Kim. "Meyer released from jail", The Independent Florida Alligator, September 18, 2008
^ "Florida College Student Who Was Tasered, Arrested at John Kerry Campus Forum Is Released From Jail". FoxNews.com. September 18 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Students Erupt In Protest, Demand Charges Filed Against Officers At Kerry Event, WKMG-TV's website www.local6.com, September 18, 2007
Office of Senator John Kerry, "Kerry Statement on Florida Campus Incident", September 18, 2007

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