I have now left Washington, DC and arrived safely back in Madison. Having been put on the ‘no-fly” list in something that can only be justified by the Patriot Act. I took the Amtrak back. But this trip, in many different ways got me thinking about what it means to be free, and how quickly our freedoms are being taken away. I look back on all the times, all the marches, all of the wonderful people I met along the way and the only thing that comes to mind is hope. The people of Wisconsin have already shown how it’s done back in February and March, but as I talked with people who were in it for the long haul and others who were bouncing from occupation to occupation, I realized one thing. The rest of the country gets it. We have small to large occupations in practically every state. And they are sustaining.
It started on day one. I was covering the Take Back the American Dream Conference and the Occupation of K Street as press. The first day there were about twenty people in the park and another fifty or so that came for General Assembly. It steadily built day after day as press from across the world flooded in and did interviews with practically everyone. After a few days the convention ended and the occupation of Freedom Plaza started. Many of my fellow comrades from Wisconsin and the original Capitol Occupation showed up and I was glad to see my brothers and sisters in Solidarity. By now I had established a nice relationship with the “locals” and bounced between camps. That first night there was a hearing at the Ronald Reagan Building. I underwent pretty severe disability harassment. Rather than recap it now, I’ll quote my original Facebook note found here:
This morning I posted a video where I was harassed by police. The reason is because I use the Segway as a mobility device. Today there was a line for the Tar Sands Hearing tomorrow in the Ronald Reagan Building (conveniently located directly across from Freedom Plaza) and lobbyists were paying people to save them a spot in line. I was going to go as we needed representation on our side as well. Arthur and some others were inside, I had to get inside by 2 AM. I arrived at approximately 1:45 AM and walked in the door. All Federal Buildings are secured by an agency called GSA. The GSA officers at the security checkpoint said I cannot have my Segway. I asked for a supervisor. While I was waiting I prepared to discuss the laws that support my case which is clear as day.
The supervisor came and said I cannot have that in here. I stated I use it for mobility and it is allowed. I also state that GSA policy states it is allowed and wrote down this link while reading them the policy http://www.gsa.gov/graphics/ogp/FMRBulletin2008-B3_Segways.pdf. I said you know this is true it’s on gsa.gov, you cannot fake that. Here is a quotation and these are the rules that all GSA agents are required to follow to maintain compliance with the ADA. “An individual with a mobility impairment is permitted to operate a Segway in a Federal building under the jurisdiction, custody or control of GSA in any areas open to pedestrian use.” Clear cut. I don’t fault them for not knowing it, however I do fault them for not looking it up.
The entire exchange took place between the hours of 1:45-2:45. They said I would be under arrest if I did not leave. I complied realizing I was alone and went outside the door and waited. The GSA agents mentioned they know who I am and that I always instigate these fights. I said if my rights weren’t violated there would be no reason for even an argument. They said I had to wait for a Federal Inspector to come. All of a sudden this car pulls up and it clearly states “Department of Homeland Security Federal Inspection Service,” an agency under Obama (and one with an office on Regent Street in Madison if the locals want to stop in and complain, they have been at the square numerous times as well). An officer comes out by the name of, I believe it was G Gaddy or C Gaddy. I explain the situation and cite the reference to the GSA guidelines. He says he doesn’t care. He asks if I have proof of disability (which is illegal), I say yes and inform him I have a Medtronic Card showing a cardiac implant, a bulge in my chest where it is implanted, chest x rays (on my phone), a disabled placard, a visible leg brace, and an AED in my front bag.
He proceeded to tell me he was not going to look up the GSA policy that I could not come in. He was called in by GSA. He also seems to already know who I am. I am now 99% sure they have prepared select agents and police for my arrival. Unfortunately they failed to prepare them correctly. He says if I had a wheelchair fine, but no Segway. I then go outside, not looking to get arrested if I’m alone and attempt to call anyone, but no one answers. I’m stuck, never get arrested alone with no one knowing and a target on your back. Especially by DHS. So they ask what I am doing going in circles outside. I say that I am protesting the violation of rights and that I am awake, moving around, and asserting my 1st Amendment right to petition your branch of government to stop violating my rights. I inform them of how it is a Fourth Amendment violation to arrest in violation of the First Amendment.
They go inside. Wanting to get all of their faces recorded, I then video tape them through the window from outside. In WI this is fine, apparently in DC it makes you a potential terrorist. They inform me I cannot film a security checkpoint and can be arrested for that. I inform them I did not know. They get very upset, but I reiterate how in WI it is perfectly legal to film a security checkpoint. They inform me I must clear the entire memory of my camera or else they will confiscate it. Once again, being alone, I do what they say. They remind me I have been on their cameras this whole time. I don’t really mind, I reiterate how I didn’t know that was against the law here and will actually check and be back to film them all day if not. They then require two forms of ID. I ask why and they say something about some DHS list. My question is why do they need two forms of ID if they already know who I am. Clearly this is police harassment.
In the end I was forced to leave for lack of backup. It is unsafe these days to get arrested alone, especially with the Patriot Act. However, I will be back tomorrow with more people. In the meantime if you want to help the DC protesters, stop this injustice. An injustice to one is an injustice to all and if we don’t put pressure it won’t stop and will escalate. So I am asking you to make five short phone calls. In these calls explain what happened. Ask for a review of the tapes (1:45-2:45 AM 10-07-2011) and review the GSA document posted above. Ask that they then review Officer Gaddy. Also, request that a formal apology be made to myself for violating my rights. The numbers are below and I thank you very much. Only if they are completely flooded with calls can we actually change this. You may not be able to occupy DC with me but you can make a few phone calls.
President Barack Obama
202-456-1111
Vice President Joe Biden
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact-vp (not a call but an e-mail)
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
202-282-8495
GSA Office of the Administrator
(202) 501-0800
Also please request they inform all government buildings in DC that Segways are allowed for disabled. Thanks! And if you want to donate to a general fund for all of the protesters you may do so at https://www.wepay.com/donate/198765 .
I still encourage people to call. I did get a non public apology from the Department of Homeland Security but that is not enough. And that was when I saw my freedom taken away by a document called the Patriot Act. I realized that much like foreign wars, many of those fighting in this domestic war give up their freedom to fight for the greater good and freedom of all. This is a peaceful war it is not fought with guns. It is fought with constitutions and lawyers and video cameras. But I didn’t have much time for this for the next day was the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space. This event made national headlines. I remember marching to the Smithsonian but as soon as I got to the door it was already locked. It wasn’t long before I got a call from Jenna Pope saying that she, Thi Le, CJ Terrell, and Marley Peterson (all comrades of mine in the Wisconsin fight) had been maced without warning. I made and announcement and headed to the back of the museum. Video from this is here:
Eventually the Wisconsin folks left and I stayed back a few days. I continued to foster relationships with the people who were staying, sharing my experiences in civil disobedience and the Wisconsin struggle. And I saw the type of leadership and perseverance that made Madison so strong. By the time I left the small encampment of fifteen people had grown to two locations and about five hundred people in total. This is change we can believe in. Unfortunately things changed in Madison and I had to get back. The Dane County District Attorney’s office is trying to take political prisoners by forcing them to sit in jail or sign away their First Amendment rights. More on that here.
Fortunately, upon my return I found that Occupy Madison is alive and well. Unfortunately, as I sit here, I have already come to the realization that by Wednesday October 19, I will have to turn myself in and accept my new role of a political prisoner of the state of Fitzwalkerstan. But I will sit on behalf of those who cannot. I will sit because by my sitting hopefully others can come to the realization that freedom isn’t free. I will sit because I hope that as I do our story spreads and more and more people realize their freedoms are slowly slipping away and it will take the masses to change that. I will do as much as I can before I turn myself in, but as I occupy the Dane County Jail for what could be just about any amount of time up to a couple months. And please read that article and call the District Attorney. I could fill up thousands more words explaining my time in DC, but instead I will just leave you with some videos along the way. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ryan
Executive Director
Defending Wisconsin PAC
jryan@defendingwisconsin.org
[Editor's Note: Donations made through this post go to the author, not the website]
Note: Segway Jeremy Ryan has become a full-time member of the protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Formerly a businessman, he gave up his business to join the fight for the middle class in the State of Wisconsin. Through videos and writings he has informed hundreds of thousands of people about what was going on at the Wisconsin State Capitol once the mainstream media had mostly abandoned the protests. His full-time activism is completely funded by the people. If you would like to help out please click here.
