TotW sometimes prints the humor of others, but generally prefers to leave the ranting to itself. However, the following incident so severely pisses TotW off that it could not rant on the subject with anything approaching coherence, let alone humor. It is unfortunately becomming all the more common as our supposed public servants forget who they are supposed to be serving, and to what ends. Totalitarianism begins with blind adherence to the law. Read, but do not enjoy ...
Group's good-will effort gets bad rap from police
By Doug Chapman, Providence Journal
FOXBORO -- All throughout MLS Cup '99 Weekend, commissioner Don Garber reiterated how the international sport of soccer is uniquely positioned in America to bringing diverse groups of fans together. The Midnight Riders, the unofficial supporters club of the host New England Revolution, took Garber's word to heart and ended up running afoul of the law for their efforts.
The Riders hosted an open pregame tailgate party in the Foxboro Stadium parking lot. The party, which was announced on the Internet, invited supporters of all 12 MLS clubs to join them. At the tailgate, the Riders solicited voluntary donations to help defray the costs of food and refreshments.
Two Massachusetts State Police officers, wearing D.C. United garb, joined in and then broke up the party.
"We were accepting donations to help cover our costs," said Tom Hill, one of Riders organizers. "The state police viewed it that we were selling food without a license."
The state police confiscated $127 from the Riders and broke up the party, according to Hill.
"This is something we regularly do to help foster good will among all of the fans," said Guy Keeley, another Riders official. "It is an anti-hooligan measure, because it brings different fan groups together. The state police came in under cover, grabbed our pouch of money and broke up the party. You'd think that they would have more important things to do with their time."
One D.C United fan was taken into custody by state police, but was later released, according to Hill.
"I don't know the particular legalities of this situation," said Garber, "but we need to develop closer ties with our supporters clubs so that situations like this do not occur. Perhaps we could have supported their effort, or at least authenticated it. Something needs to be done to ensure efforts like these to bring fans together do not end up having the opposite effect."
This was not the first time that the Midnight Riders and state police have clashed.
"We've had so many parking lot issues with the state police," said Keeley. "No matter how many times we complain to the Revolution, nothing ever seems to get done. We'll probably get another apology from the team. But we're getting to the point where why should we bother any more."
A rather innocuous incident, you say? Just a misunderstanding, right? Isn't it ironic how when citizens make a mistake, it's a crime, but when cops make a mistake it's a misunderstanding? Now, for the rest of the story ...
By Tom Hill, Pictures of Chairman Mao
Pictures of Chairman Mao had a nice four-year run, but as far as I am concerned, it's over. I have enjoyed my experience immensely, and wouldn't have traded it for the world.
However, I simply can no longer be involved with the zine, nor the Midnight Riders. It just is not worth the hassle. I will be 40 years old in January, I am a "regular" middle-class guy who owns a house in the suburbs. I am not interested in being a martyr for some "cause" and I am simply too old to be getting arrested by sleazy, underhanded, racist police with nothing better to do. These people are the lowest of the low, and should be ashamed of their behavior.
All I am is a soccer fan who wanted to be involved in something special, something positive to help the sport grow in this country. I am very sad to see that it is not possible. I felt I had a lot to offer the sport, and have given countless hours of my life for the good of the game. Others will have to carry on without me. I give up.
The following is a chronology of events that took place before the MLS Cup Final soccer game at Foxboro Stadium, November 21, 1999. These events are to the best of my recollection, and this summary was written at 6:00 pm, Sunday, immediately upon return to my home. The dialogue contains exact quotes, and some people may find some language to be offensive.
Background:
I, Thomas Hill, was in attendance in "Lot B" of Foxboro Stadium prior to the match. There were several hundred members of various organized soccer supporters present, representing all 12 MLS cities as well as other locales. The "Midnight Riders," the unofficial supporters' organization of New England Revolution fans was the hosting organization. The Midnight Riders provided food, with several barbecue grills set up, as well as beverages, including beer for traveling fans. Because of the expense involved in such an undertaking, a donation was asked to help defray the costs.
I am one of the editors of "Pictures of Chairman Mao," a grass-roots "fanzine" written by and for soccer fans such as those in attendance. We were also accepting contributions to help defray our printing costs, as well as handing out issues to those present who are already subscribers.
Events:
Various people had been behind the tables at different times, manning the grills, taking orders, and handing out beverages and food. At one point when I was behind the table, a man wearing a green windbreaker and a DC United hat pulled me aside and said he wanted a word with me. I did not know this man, and assumed he was one of several hundred DC United fans who had made the trip.
He grabbed at my money belt and asked what I had in there. I was taken aback, and asked what he wanted. He quickly flashed a badge and told me he was a State Police Officer. At this point, I also noticed he was with a woman, wearing a blue and white windbreaker. Although I never saw a badge, I gathered that she was also an undercover State Police Officer.
The male officer, whom was called "Paul" by the female, informed me that he would confiscate all cash and beer. I asked to see his badge, and he became annoyed. He pulled it out and held it approximately two inches from my eyes, held it there for about a second, and said, "Did you get a good enough look at it this time, asshole?"
I accepted the fact that he probably WAS a real police officer (even though I still didn't know for sure if his badge was real), and resigned myself to cooperate and make the best of the situation. The following exchange took place:
Thomas Hill: "There is no need for that. I just want to know what's going on. I just want to be reasonable."
Paul: "You want to be reasonable? That's ****in' white of you."
TH: "You know, racism is not very becoming. What are you hassling me for? What did I do?"
P: Don't get ****in' cute with me, pal. I was born at night, but I wasn't born LAST night."
TH: What do you mean? What's going on?"
P: "You're selling alcohol without a license.
TH: "I'm not selling anything."
P: "What, do you think I'm ****in' stupid or something? You have money there." (pulls out wad of bills from my pouch)
TH: "That's from our magazine. We publish this magazine here" (brief explanation of the magazine)
P: "Yeah right! You're selling beer. I'm not a ****in' idiot."
TH: "No, I gave a beer to someone, but I'm not selling them."
Female Officer: "Oh yah, that's rich. (laughs in a mocking way.) Tell that to the judge. (winks and gives an "OK" sign) The judges in this state LOVE people like you. They are REAL liberal! (laughs)
TH: "What?!?"
I did not know who this woman was, but since she was apprehending Derek Seabury for essentially the same offense, I assumed she was also a police officer working with Paul. I will let Derek speak about his experience.
FO: "You can also be arrested for public drinking too, so I'd keep my big, fat mouth shut if I was you."
TH: Do you see me with an open beer? I don't drink."
FO: "Yeah right!" (sarcastic laugh)
I decided to remain silent, even though I found this woman to be belligerent, rude, provoking and in general, a disgrace to every decent, hard working police officer. For the record, I was not drinking and I do not drink at all. Several people present will verify this.
Paul had taken my driver's license as well as the pouch with all the money. He asked for information such as my name, address, date of birth and social security number.
At this point, an individual in a brown leather jacket and a DC United hat (whom I did not know) wandered over and asked me about the home-brewed beer we were offering to people. I told him that it was a bad time, and he should come back later. He asked what was going on, and I told him just to go away. At that point, he noticed Paul's DC United hat, and went to shake his hand. I feared that an under-control, yet potentially volatile situation could possibly turn out very badly, if other fans became embroiled in the situation. That was the last thing I wanted, as I was not even discussing the matter with concerned friends and onlookers, only telling them that I'd fill them in later.
Paul didn't seem to have a problem with this individual, but I was concerned, as he had been drinking, and was beginning to question the police as to why we were being arrested. I did not want or need this kind of "help."
Paul and the Female Officer began to gather up beer under the tables and had called for a wagon. I was concerned that I was going to be taken away and miss the game. At least two other individuals present were arrested and taken away, but I did not see what happened.
Several minutes passed and eventually Paul returned the pouch without the cash. He counted out $127.00 and placed it in an envelope. He wrote my name and address on the envelope sealed it and kept it for "evidence." He informed me that I would eventually be returned the money, but I would have to appear in Wrentham District Court. He did not provide a receipt. He told me that I would be receiving a summons in the mail in the next three to six weeks with further instructions. At that point, I was free to go.
Aftermath:
While in a strictly legal sense, it is correct that all parties associated with the Midnight Riders or any other organization present did not have a "license" to accept cash, whether donation or quid-pro-quo, for food, beverages, magazines, T-shirts or any other goods or services. However, MLS and the New England Revolution have encouraged the unity of various organized supporters groups from around the country to work together and find common ground. There were fans from all around the country, and everyone was having an enjoyable time. In fact, Revolution CEO Brian O'Donovan gave a speech at the "Supporters' Summit" the previous day on how organized supporters' groups should work together with stadium security (granted, these were State Police), and the clubs themselves to foster a more positive experience for all. Every one of these supporters groups has a specific platform eschewing all forms of hooliganism, violence or anti-social behavior among their members. Individual groups have gone to great lengths to accommodate traveling fans. There is an established tradition of this sort of activity, as groups in other cities as well as the Midnight Riders (US World Cup qualifying matches in 1997) have hosted tailgates in this manner.
I personally find it offensive not only that the State Police would go undercover to bust what is essentially a harmless activity run by a non-profit organization who donate all profits to local soccer-related charities. I also find the behavior of the specific officers involved to be even more offensive. They were rude and belligerent, clearly trying to provoke some sort of reaction, in addition to using a racist expression. I find it deplorable that, as a taxpayer in this state, that I am paying for this kind of behavior.
I also find it offensive that the Revolution organization clearly know who the Midnight Riders and Pictures of Chairman Mao are, both on a personal and organizational level, and have made verbal agreements at various times regarding our conduct. We have made every attempt to abide by our verbal agreements with Brian O'Donovan and other Revolution staff. We fully understand that the State Police are not under the Revolution's control, but this has gone too far. I personally have had enough. This is not the first time I have been harassed by Police of Security for essentially nothing. I can not speak for anyone else, but the Revolution have at their fingertips, a very loyal group of fans who will do almost anything to see the sport succeed in this country. It's impossible to quantify, but clearly the word-of-mouth, grass roots promotion that the Revolution have received through this group of people is astounding. It is perfectly within the Revolution's rights to condone this type of treatment of their best and most loyal fans. But considering that this team is the worst team in the league's history, and the fan base has remained solid, I would seriously wonder why they would allow this to deteriorate to this level.
Meetings are fine, but we have been down that road before. Nothing constructive has ever happened. The Revolution are welcome to pay lip service to these concerns, and shrug it all off, but they do so at their peril.
The hell with the Revolution, what about the Revolution? We had one once over crap like the above. The bigger issue than incompetent sports management is insane governance. Our police, who once thought they ought to protect and serve, have gone off the deep end of "us versus them" and now with ever increasing frequency look at not just criminals, but ordinary citizens, as the enemy.
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