Creative Loafing Atlanta reports:
Baton Bob, Atlanta's self-proclaimed ambassador of mirth, lost some of his joy on June 26, 2013. Dressed in his finest wedding dress, the well-known street performer's celebratory routine following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to end the federal gay marriage ban was cut short when an off-duty Atlanta Police officer arrested him after what was initially described as an alleged "verbal altercation."
But Baton Bob — real name Bob Jamerson — later claimed the arrest violated his constitutional rights, so he filed a lawsuit against the city. Nearly two years after the incident, officials are offering a $20,000 settlement for Baton Bob's troubles. The Atlanta City Council's Public Safety Committee will take up the settlement this afternoon.
In February, Jamerson filed a federal lawsuit against the city, arguing that officers made a wrongful arrest that violated, well, nearly every constitutional right you can name. Those included Jamerson's "right to free speech, his right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, his right to remain silent while in custody, his right to be free from compelled speech, his right to counsel, and his right to privacy."
[...] Lt. Jeffrey Cantin, who was on duty with APD that day, emailed APD Public Affairs to work their "media magic with this case," according to the lawsuit. The filing says APD's internal investigators later discovered that Cantin proceeded to tell Jamerson to "post something positive" on his Baton Bob Facebook page. According to the lawsuit, APD officers told the performer that doing so was the only way he would be released from custody on a "signature bond."
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 19 2015, @01:03AM
By being victimized in this way, did this poor fellow end up becoming an Honorary Cypherpunk?
(Score: 2) by dyingtolive on Tuesday May 19 2015, @01:23AM
Die Die die DIE DIE DIEK DIEJRIEFJSLDFLKDEIE
Don't blame me, I voted for moose wang!