Chalking is Free Speech (Not in Los Angeles!)

When I arrived at Occupy LA on Friday July 13, 2012 for the Fort Manning action in support of Bradley Manning, I found out about the violent arrest of 17 people for writing with chalk on the sidewalk, only 2 of whom were Occupiers.  The police used rubber bullets, bean bags, and assault with their hands and feet to bring down the chalkers.  At least 4 people were injured.
Here are some articles about the police crackdown on °chalking°.
http://occupylosangeles.org/?q=node/10094
http://occupywallst.org/article/updates-los-angeles-chalk-walk-police-violence/
http://occupylosangeles.org/?q=node/10057

Prior to the Art Walk / Chalk Walk night, there had been 20 arrests for using chalk on the sidewalks in LA by Occupiers.  


“Free Chalk for Free Speech”. Demonstrators came up with this plan in response to 12 


prior arrests of Occupiers for chalking in the last 6 weeks.

The first chalking arrest in LA was in October 2011.

LAPD spokeswoman Norma Eisenman says people were arrested for multiple reasons, including vandalism for using chalk on the sidewalks. One person was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism and nine for misdemeanor vandalism, City News Service reported. 

“They were vandalizing the sidewalk and privately owned buildings writing in chalk. The city attorney – this is something they prosecute. It is a misdemeanor and sometimes it can be a felony, said Eisenman.

http://www.scpr.org/blogs/news/2012/07/13/7040/update-downtown-artwalkchalk-walk-skirmish-results/

Citizens of LA, grab your chalk and protest this violation of your right to free speech!

Updates on Los Angeles "Chalk Walk" Police Violence

Posted 1 day ago on July 16, 2012, 9:11 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
http://occupywallst.org/article/updates-los-angeles-chalk-walk-police-violence/

This is the latest press release from Occupy Los Angeles on last week's Art Walk events. See herefor more background.

LAPD PUSH, SHOOT, KICK MAN IN FACE, ARREST HIM AT ARTWALK
LAPD Arrest and Harm More Artwalkers than Occupiers at “Chalk Walk”

LOS ANGELES – Early Sunday morning videos surfaced online of LAPD violence at Thursday’s Downtown LA Art Walk. LAPD pushed at least one unknown man, shot him in the chest at close range, then kicked him in the face while Occupiers were trying to help him, then the cops squish his face into the ground, then the cops arrested him.
As seen in a youtube video recorded from above, the man was clearly backing up from a line of at least 30 police officers. He turns and walks onto the sidewalk when a police officer pushes him into the street and other officer shoots him in the torso at close range.
After the man stumbles to the ground, two Occupiers come to his aid but police move in, chase the occupiers off, 14 officers surround the man, while one officers kicks the man in the face, then other officers smash his face into the pavement, and violently arrested him. Another youtube video, shows the incident from on the ground.
Occupy activists say at least 4 people were injured with police projectiles.

Now I can't help myself - I'm an unrepentant chalker, looking to be arrested so I can challenge the police and courts on this idea that hopscotch is a felony.  The net day I wrote "Chalking is Free Speech" on the sidewalk - TWICE!  One got the attention of the police, but I was not yet ready to admit that I did it.  From now on, though, I will insist on being arrested and punished to the fullest extent of the law!

Actually, I've started researching what's happening around the world regarding chalking, subsequent arrests, and support for chalkers.