PHILADELPHIA, PA — On a monthly basis, the Panic Hour and Philly Norml hold a protest at the Liberty Bell in Old City Philadelphia. Each time there is a varying degree of police presence with agencies, such as, the US Park Service, Fish and Wildlife, the Philadelphia Police Department, SEPTA Police, Homeland Security and ICE.
At the most recent protest, a disturbing development was observed — US Park Service Rangers wearing video and audio recording devices to surreptitiously monitor protesters.
THE LIBERTY BELL, PHILADELPHIA, PA — During an anti-war demonstration at the Liberty Bell, a veteran was allegedly arrested. The first of two demonstrations took place while President Obama was making a speech on Syria. That is when Emily Yates (an Iraqi war veteran) and other musicians were playing music in a section of Independence Mall.
The second demonstration started to gather. Fish And Game officers, along with US Park Rangers, began getting militant about the National Park.
While Emily was playing her banjo under a shade tree, U.S. Park Rangers fenced her into a confined area. Then, they told her she could not be inside the fence. Upon questioning why, she was surrounded and attacked by the officers.
Many questions remain as to why she was man-handled in the presence of female officers. Also disturbing to those at the event — why was Emily assaulted by Park Rangers in the presence of the Philadelphia Police?
