Six members of a family were arrested at The Mall at Wellington Green in an incident that began benignly enough over a pair of droopy jeans but ended like a chaotic scene out of the Cops TV show.
An estimated 20 deputies, two canine units and a police helicopter swarmed the area surrounding the mall's food court, shutting down roads, all to arrest a 52-year-old man, his 50-year-old wife and four other relatives, ages 16 to 20, Thursday evening.
"It's a family affair. They get to spend the holiday in jail together," Palm Beach County sheriff's Lt. Jay Hart said.
For the Leger family, which has lived in Wellington since 1992, though, this is no laughing matter. They say sheriff's deputies overreacted with not just the force of their numbers but also with sheer force. Their arrests, along with the physical and verbal abuse family members say they endured, were punishment for both questioning the arrest of one of their sons and for leveling racism charges on the deputies, they contend.
That isn't so, deputies say. The family attempted to stop deputies from arresting a relative, which led to the situation spiraling out of control.
The fracas began around 7 p.m. Thursday when deputies arrested Frantz Leger, the Legers' 20-year-old son. He had returned to the mall where he was banned for violating its "Rules of Common Courtesy" on or around August. The Florida State University sophomore business major was verboten for wearing his pants too low. "I know I'm not a criminal just because my pants are too low below your expectations," Frantz Leger said from his Wiltshire Village home Saturday.
Unknowingly or not, though, his return to the mall was a violation of that trespass warning, deputies later charged.
"The mall doesn't put up with that tomfoolery bullcrap," Hart said. "His pants were down below his butt. No one goes to the mall and wants to see the crack of someone's butt."
"The mall doesn't put up with that tomfoolery bullcrap," Hart said. "His pants were down below his butt. No one goes to the mall and wants to see the crack of someone's butt."
What happened next differs greatly between deputies' and family members' versions. Suffice it to say, the night ended with six family members spending time in jail:
# The father, Joseph F. Leger, was charged with trespassing, resisting an officer with violence, assault with intent to commit a felony and assault on a law enforcement officer.
# The mother, Marthe J. Leger, was charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, resisting an officer with violence and two counts of battery on an officer.
# Their daughter, Samantha, 18, a Florida A&M University student, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting an officer without violence, trespassing and simple assault on an officer.
# Frantz Leger's cousin, Alain Oidge, 19, was charged with trespassing, resisting and officer without violence and disorderly conduct.
# Another cousin, a 16-year-old juvenile faced a battery charge.
For most of them, it was their first time behind bars in Florida. Marthe Leger was arrested in 1994 on larceny and robbery charges; and Alain Oidge was arrested in October on charges of fraud, driving while his license was suspended and resisting an officer without violence.
The Legers say their Haitian heritage and treatment at the mall are not coincidental. "We feel like we've been prejudiced," Marthe said. "They treat us like a second-class citizen."
Sheriff's Capt. Greg Richter, Wellington's senior law enforcement officer, countered: "The family got involved and tried to intervene and tried to resist the officers and that's why they were subsequently arrested. It had nothing to do with the color of their skin. It had to do with their actions."
The family was all out of jail Saturday. Some were released without a judge's requiring bonds, but Frantz Leger and his parents had to post bonds.
The Legers say they will contact an attorney this week and might seek reprimands against certain deputies. "We hope we can get justice in the whole situation, and it not happen (again) in Wellington because it's a nice place to be," Marthe said.
#1
Police Chief Wayne Tucker didn't return a telephone call requesting comment. Department spokesman Roland Holmgren refused to take questions about the incidents. "We are no longer talking about this case," he said.
yep
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/30/2007 13:18 Comments ||
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#2
Because of the "high probability of violence, the hostile location, and lack of a known victim," Thomas wrote that he decided not to "pursue the gunshots further."
He should have called the police. Oh, nevermind.
Hey, maybe they oughta send for the Texas Rangers.
Oakland Mayor: Where is everybody? They only sent one Ranger?
Texas Ranger: You only got one bakery. One bakery, one Ranger.
#3
anyone remember who the last Oakland mayor was? Oh, yeah, Edmund "Jerry" Brown. Darling of teh Calif Dem party, and while currently atty general, plotting a return to the Gov/. house....this report will hurt - if they allow it to get out...
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/30/2007 13:45 Comments ||
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#4
"Was Oakland police department scared of Muslim Bakery?"
Does a bear shit sleep in the woods?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
12/30/2007 13:59 Comments ||
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#5
They've been terrified of Black Muslims since the Zebra Murders in the '70s.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
12/30/2007 19:07 Comments ||
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There could be some discord during the Tournament of Roses Parade as demonstrators promise to raise issues during the holiday spectacle that has been going on for more than a century. Human rights advocates plan to protest a float honoring the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and anti-war activists, including "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan, intend to rally for peace.
Sheehan, the outspoken San Francisco Bay area nuttercommunistgoofrustictoolsimple-mindedsocialist activist whose son was killed in Iraq, is campaigning for Congress against Rep. Nancy Pelosi and calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. She will join other pro-impeachment and anti-war groups at the parade, according to her sister, Dede Miller.
As many as 1,000 supporters are expected to rally before and after the parade and distribute 20,000 pamphlets while flying 300 banners along the parade route, said Peter Thottam, executive director of the Los Angeles National Impeachment Center.
Police said they were prepared for the protesters and the hundreds of thousands of spectators. As usual, about 1,200 officers from a number of agencies are set to be on hand. "We've had to ramp up our resources, police personnel, but nothing out of the ordinary," police Commander Paul Gales said.
#3
If the float drivers promise to run her and her loons over, I'm willing to watch it. Heck, they could make it an attraction for the Parade, "Watch us run over Sheehan, just like she tried to do to her son!"
#4
What is it with these people? They are like the Taliban. Any time anyone is having fun, they feel the need to disrupt and spoil it. Oh look, the children are enjoying the Christmas lights - lets get Al Gore and Bono to fly in and get those lights shut off. Can't have the peasants enjoying themselves. A happy parade? Let's turn it into a protest screech fest.
#7
Twirlers for some show bands like to do flaming batons and swords rather than the usual baton. Maybe that would help remove (mow em down actually) a few protestors if they get in the street.
Calcutta, India: The state government has decided to construct a multi-storeyed Haj House exclusively for Haj pilgrims on VIP road, at stones throw from the airport.
Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who is also the minister-in-charge of minority welfare, will lay the foundation of this sprawling seven-storey building project covering 16 cottah of prime land.
The states Muslims have always complained about shoddy treatment meted out to them by airline companies during Haj. This time, too, the Hajis, who have been returning from the pilgrimage over the week have been victims of erratic flights.
The state PWD has put Mackintosh Burn on the job. The building will come up near Kaikhali on VIP Road. "Well complete it in two years. Around Rs 7 crore will be spent on construction which is aimed at providing comfort rather than luxury," Nilmoni Dhar, managing director, Mackintosh Burn, said. The building will accommodate at least 800 Hajis during November and December. For the rest of the year, it will serve as a vocational training centre.
Md Soleman Biswas, councillor, Rajarhat-Gopalpur municipality, and member, West Bengal Haj Committee, said, "Haj training will also be conducted here. In 1996, then chief minister Jyoti Basu had a Haj House constructed on Dilkhusa Street. But thats too small."
Abdus Sattar, minister of state for minority welfare, said, "The plight of the pilgrims who take the Centres so-called subsidized Haj flights has led us to sanction this project immediately. The Hajis, perpetually on erratic flights, are forced to stay here overnight."
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 10:50 ||
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the Centres so-called subsidized Haj flights
Nothing "so called" about it.
The Government of India subsidizes the airfare of Muslims going on Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. This is a fact.
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 11:04 Comments ||
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CHENNAI, India Brahmins, as Hinduism's priestly and scholarly caste, have traditionally occupied a place of privilege in India. Brahmins have been advisers to Maharajas, Mughals and military rulers. Under British rule, they served as administrators, a position they kept after Indian independence in 1947.
But in today's India, high-caste privileges are dwindling, and with the government giving extensive preferences to the lower-caste majority, many Brahmins are feeling left out of the economy's rapid expansion.
R. Parameswaran has suffered that reversal of fortune. The 29-year-old starts every day with a prayer to the Hindu god Shiva, marking his forehead with red and white powder to let the world know he is a Brahmin. In his home village, his caste's mark brought him respect, but since he moved to Chennai, a sprawling high-tech city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, in the late 1990s, he has found his status a liability.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 07:32 ||
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From his makeshift home where he sleeps with a blanket on a desk most nights, Mr. Parameswaran still applies for government jobs. He pulls out his latest application form and shows a visitor where he always gets stuck: the three squares where he has to write the abbreviation indicating his caste.
Why is it considered necessary to put a "caste" designation on a job application?
"I want government work," he says, shaking the application, "but they have no jobs for Brahmins."
Do Brahmins, in general, prefer government work? Or is it just a personal preference on his part?
#2
Why is it considered necessary to put a "caste" designation on a job application?
Because of the reservation quota (affirmative action) system
KR Narayan (a Dalit or untouchable) used this quota to get his son into college, ahead of classmates with better grades.
At the time he was President of India
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 9:32 Comments ||
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Indeed a lot of the religious/caste violence you see in India is all about politicians using this quota to reward their supporters.
The quotas provide the patronage they use to keep a hold on the political machinery.. they can dole out jobs, college places etc
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 9:37 Comments ||
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#4
And the NREGS rural employment system is the latest plum to be divided amongst myriad castes... that is why "tribals" are fighting for "SC" rather than "Dalit" status, why "Christian Tribals" are fighting with "Hindu Tribals" for SC sub caste places.. why there are Muslim, Christian and Sikh "Dalits"... there are billions of dollars up for grabs....
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 9:43 Comments ||
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#5
Do Brahmins, in general, prefer government work? Or is it just a personal preference on his part?
There is a well known stereotype of the Brahmin preference for a Government job... the Brahmin clerk with the fingernail of his little finger grown long... the better to open letters and files ... a status symbol to others (he obviously doesn't perform manual work)
Government jobs are no longer so highly favored... a job in the private sector..in IT, is now the prize... which is why there is a campaign to extend the affirmative action into the private sector as mandatory quotas rather than incentives to private industry
Posted by: john frum ||
12/30/2007 9:55 Comments ||
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#6
which is why there is a campaign to extend the affirmative action into the private sector as mandatory quotas rather than incentives to private industry
That's interesting. What kind of carrots are currently offered to private-sector employers for adopting affirmative action policies?
#9
they can thank the "Brahmin" of Boston, Jahn Karry, for the term to be a term of derision in the U.S.
Posted by: Frank G ||
12/30/2007 12:38 Comments ||
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The long little finger fingernail is fairly common affectation amoung SE Asian Chinese as a mark of someone who doesn't do manual work.
BTW John, I am reading Dalrymple's The Last Mughal, which is about Delphi during the Indian Mutiny. It describes how the mutiny started largely because the British didn't appreciate the importance of ritual purity to high caste Hindus.
But as the mutiny progresses, it becomes a startlingly modern tale. Change the dates, places and people and it could be Iraq 2005/6 as jihadis flood in to fill the vacuum caused by the mutiny/war and the British set up FOBs to retake the cities in street level fighting.
#13
#10: "But as the mutiny progresses, it becomes a startlingly modern tale. Change the dates, places and people and it could be Iraq 2005/6 as jihadis flood in to fill the vacuum caused by the mutiny/war and the British set up FOBs to retake the cities in street level fighting."
Everything old is new again, phil.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
12/30/2007 13:44 Comments ||
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Despite promises from the Chief Minister and officials, Kui tribals of Kandhamal district are continuing their agitation, seeking action against persons who instigated dalits of the district to categorise them as tribals.
'Kui' tribals monopolize the Scheduled Tribe Affirmative Action quotas. The 'Pana' want a piece of that quota rather than their own Dalit quota (probably a lot of other Dalits around) so they claim tribal status.
The critics said it couldn't be done, but the vision and determination of General David Petraeus have brought greater security and cause for optimism to the people of Iraq. He is The Sunday Telegraph's Person of the Year.
For a man whose critics say he is far too fond of the television cameras, General David Petraeus, commander of US forces in Iraq, has been rather out of the limelight this Christmas.
The sprightly, media-friendly 55-year-old is not perturbed, however, that his face is no longer number one item on the US networks. As he said last week, where Iraq is concerned, "No news is good news."
Today, we put him in the spotlight again by naming Gen Petraeus as The Sunday Telegraph's Person of the Year, a new annual accolade to recognise outstanding individual achievement.
He has been the man behind the US troop surge over the past 10 months, the last-ditch effort to end Iraq's escalating civil war by putting an extra 28,000 American troops on the ground.
So far, it has achieved what many feared was impossible. Sectarian killings are down. Al-Qaeda is on the run. And the two million Iraqis who fled the country are slowly returning. Progress in Iraq is relative - 538 civilians died last month. But compared with the 3,000 peak of December last year, it offers at least a glimmer of hope.
Nonetheless, why should we choose to nominate Petraeus Rest at link
It's a good article, I read it in the pub earlier on. The photo they had of him in the paper wearing camo and (I presume) body armour underneath made him look like a bloody tank!
Good bloke.
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
12/30/2007 19:10 Comments ||
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The Sunday Telegraph's Person of the Year, a new annual accolade to recognise outstanding individual achievement.
The first ever? This is much more of an honour than Time magazine could give, when this year's joins the ranks of Hitler, et al, that they'd named in the past. I'll go read the rest of the article, now. ;-)
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Six members of a family were arrested at The Mall at Wellington Green in an incident that began benignly enough over a pair of droopy jeans but ended like a chaotic scene out of the Cops TV show.
There could be some discord during the Tournament of Roses Parade as demonstrators promise to raise issues during the holiday spectacle that has been going on for more than a century. Human rights advocates plan to protest a float honoring the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and anti-war activists, including "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan, intend to rally for peace.
