3 Arrested At
Occupy New Haven

Yes, yes, yes! I love it. Keep dancing, puppets and sheeple alike!

Whatever you do, be sure NOT to heed the command of the ancients to "KNOW THYSELF, and you will KNOW THE UNIVERSE AND ITS GODS".

Keep arguing! KEEP TRYING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING BUT YOUR SELF!

"People will do anything, no matter how absurd, to avoid facing their own souls."
― C.G. Jung

This obviously goes for everyone, not just the chilly multicolored combatants.

A 28 and a 25 yr old fighting with a 69 year old man. Really shows the character of these people. We should all be down there doing what this brave man did. I give him great respect. Is there a bail fund for this man?

After the arrests were made a small group of the Occupiers arrived in front of the New Haven Police Department. One held up a sign that read, "Let the moose be.". Another held up an Irish flag while another held up an American flag. The American flag was upside down and also dipped lower than the Irish flag.

I understand the Occupiers are saying they are displaying the American flag upside down to symbolize being in distress. You are not in eminent danger, but I get the point. I also understand the first amendment. But why dip it lower to the Irish flag? Im not arguing your constitutional rights, I am just eager to understand the meaning of why one would do that.

1) why were the 'occupirers' arrested? It seems that after the old guy started shoving it was self defense. I hope they get the charges dismissed then sue Obie and Barney for false arrest.

2) The mere fact there is a 'head' of security belies the notion this is a 'leaderless' movement

NH lays off 17 cops but pays for 6 Porto-toilets, and a huge dumpster for the Occupy bums!

Got to love these bancrupt liberal cities!!

I guess the occupiers think they exclusively own the Green and can yell and holler their political slogans and march with their signs, but if an opposite point of view shows up, they call the cops - I thought the occupiers hate cops. The NYC occupiers are moaning about a "police state". But the occupiers sure like the cops when they're looking to eject a right winger from the Green. What hypocrites.

I admire the guy who protested, and wish him well, but must agree that hanging the flag upside down is a traditional and a legally designated expression of distress.

Can't deny either that our nation is in serious distress and will continue so at least until Obama and his crew are replaced

I urge leniency for the 67 year old patriot, and added charges for the beating up of a person over 65 (?) years old as prohibited by CT State law.

They can not illegally appoint them selves as Police,

Ziggy, the flag-wearing, flag-waving ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ocfG6IgeCA

Skip forward to about a minute in....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ocfG6IgeCA

"Ziggy" looks pretty strong to me.

I'm in my 20's and I would NEVER take this guy on.

The facts, as presented, suggest that the lone protester angry about the upside flag began the physical altercation. Personally, I'll reserve judgment about whether a physical response was warranted--certainly it's often easier to walk away. After all, he's got a right to voice his anger too.

However . . . if 'Ziggy' is in fact the man alluded to in this story, is he aware that according to the U.S. Flag code, the flag is not to be used as 'wearing apparel'?

Where's the outrage at this disrespect and desecration of our national symbol?

...
It's time to move these people out. They stand for nothing. They are "playing" at protesting...accomplishing nothing, and taking up space at taxpayer's expense.
...

WK

I think it is only against the law if an actual flag or portion thereof is used as clothing, and not clothing with a flag design. Otherwise, that would make many of the flight uniforms used by US aviators as well as many civil service uniforms illegal.

Condor, thank you for reporting the facts here. I was expecting the entire comments section to be filled with slanderous comments against the Occupiers. By the way, everyone, we have video of the entire incident, and Moose did not even hit back. Keep this in mind if you think you'd like to be the next one to try and bait us into fighting with you. This is a nonviolent protest; keep it that way, or we will film you and turn the video over to the police immediately.

As for the upside-down flags, I'm torn on the subject, much like the flags that Ziggy was flying on his pickup truck. :)

In practical terms, nothing to do with the flag is really "against the law" as the U.S. Flag code has consistently been held by the courts to be an advisory document describing the protocol for respectful display and treatment of the flag and all-but-unenforceable.

That said, I see a lot of ahem "patriots" meandering around displaying flags in clear variation of that protocol. My personal favorite is the tattered rags flapping from the beds of pick up trucks and car antennas, usually going up on Memorial Day and shredded by July 4th.

"Ziggy" (and can we get some clarification on whether he <i>was</i> the person on the Green?) should know this section, among others:<blockquote>No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. </blockquote>
It's pretty clear that 'replicas' of flags, such as say flag t-shirts, should also be treated with dignity.

i genuinely care nothing for "flag codes", or flags in general. Is that cool?
I do however have a set of principles which I attempt to abide by every day. If I abide by these principles (essentially "spiritual" in nature) then I know I am being a good American... or at least a semi-decent human being.

I really don't know what to make of OWS one way or the other. That being said, I'm glad these kids defended themselves.
An adult, man or woman, young or old should know what "assault" means. I hold no reservations, if an old man started a fight with me I would lay his ass out as indiscriminately as I would to someone in their 20's. When it comes to primping violence someone shouldn't feel like they can hide behind their age, gender, handicap or frame size. Take your licks for being the ... you are and move on.
Also, remove that ugly American flag shirt, traitor.

If the occupiers didn't call the cops, then who were the complaining parties that led to the arrest??

"That said, I see a lot of ahem "patriots" meandering around displaying flags in clear variation of that protocol. My personal favorite is the tattered rags flapping from the beds of pick up trucks and car antennas, usually going up on Memorial Day and shredded by July 4th."

Both groups - the "Occupy" people and the people well-described above are wrong. There is, however one difference: the "Occupy" people are deliberately abusing the symbol. The number of negative comments I've seen on various online forums carrying this story - people who previously had empathy for at least some of the ideas from the "Movement" - should provide strong feedback for them about this choice.

"Both groups - the "Occupy" people and the people well-described above are wrong. "

That's a false equivalency. The occupiers, regardless of whether you agree with their message, are flying the flag upside down with the clear intention of employing this universal symbol of distress to make their political point. (I assume we can all agree that no ship at sea will mistakenly rush to their aid, so let's not worry about 'false alarms'). There's really no well-grounded reason to see their action as a desecration or abuse of the national symbol. That the action <i>is</i> deliberate is what allows them to defend it as political expression.

The well-described (thanks!) others, however, are guilty either of willful disrespect or at best an apathetic disregard for the dignity of the national symbol and their hypocrisy undermines their aggressive and often bullying claim to some kind of über-patriotism.

These people should spend less time fetishizing the flag and more time developing an understanding of the complex values it symbolizes.

Also, my apologies but 'variation' in my comment from 5:36 p.m. should read 'violation'. Just for the record.

"The well-described (thanks!) others, however, are guilty either of willful disrespect or at best an apathetic disregard for the dignity of the national symbol and their hypocrisy undermines their aggressive and often bullying claim to some kind of über-patriotism."

Those are some broad strokes you are painting with, Mr. Kurtz. Convenient for your rant, perhaps, but hardly a reasonable foundation for the argument.

To nfjanette: your assessment is right on.

Broad strokes? In what way? Actually it's as reasonable a foundation as can be: what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

I'll have to ask that you take my word for it that I'm not really ranting. The fact is, I have no real objection to Ziggy showing his love for the USA or its flag with his clownish antics. Nor do I object to ONH making their political statement by flying the flag upside down. That's the beauty of the first amendment. I will call attention to the dissonance between speech and deed, though, where it exists.

The reversed flag is also mentioned in the laws regarding proper treatment of the flag. Lawyers at Occupy Seattle have verified that the usage fits the law.

THE FLAG CODE
Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10
As amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress
Approved July 7, 1976