Date:  Tue, 10 Nov 1992 08:52:13 -0500
--More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.]>From: emmanuel@well.sf.ca.us
Subject: File 2--2600 Meeting Disrupted by Law Enforcement
 
On Friday, November 6th, the 2600 meeting in Washington DC was
disrupted by assorted law enforcement people. Details are still coming
in at this point but there are some details that have been
corroborated by a number of people. This is what we know:  Shortly
after the gathering commenced at the Pentagon City Mall, the 30 or so
people who were there were surrounded by mall security who demanded
that everyone consent to searches. They were told that if they refused
to be searched, they'd be arrested. Everyone's bags were gone through
and lots of personal property was confiscated including notebooks,
school work, various tools, a computer keyboard, and many other items.
The security guards were in radio contact with others on a balcony who
had been watching the group. One of the attendees was detained by
security who would neither arrest him nor let him go. After about 10
minutes, he was released. Some property was returned but much was not.
No receipts were given and, at one point, the security guards denied
having anything at all. They then said that if they did have anything,
the attendees would have to return the next week with proof of
ownership. The mall police were later joined by local Virginia police,
who told the group they would be arrested if they didn't leave the
--More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.]mall immediately. In addition to searching everybody, the police took
down the names of everyone present.
 
At this point it doesn't look as if there was anything illegal going
on or anything illegal in anyone's possession. It also should be noted
that the mall police said they were acting on behalf of the Secret
Service. The local police would only say they were gathering
information for an "outside party".
 
The following is from Bob Stratton, one of our people on the scene:
 
I hope that someone like Inhuman might be able to fill in the details,
but just as a brief...
 
+++++
 
     I showed up late to the 2600 meeting in DC tonight, and I found
everyone outside on the sidewalk instead of in the food court of the
normal meeting place. Evidently they were hassled severely by the mall
security officers, who took ID, confiscated all manner of property,
tore up the list of officers' names being compiled by one attendee,
and threatened to confiscate a camera being used by one attendee to
--More--[Press space to continue, 'q' to quit.]record the whole fiasco.
 
     The real police were called, and evidently made but a cursory
appearance, though some comment about working with the Secret Service
was made. The worst thing is that the private security officers who
took property later denied it, and people are now in a quandary as to
the best mechanism for recovery of their property.
 
     I was fortunate enough to have missed the worst of it, though I
do regret that I wasn't there earlier if only to tell the rent-a-cops
what I thought of them, and my knowledge of my rights.
 
     I know that several of the attendees called up to New York, to
Emmanuel Goldstein, and I'm interested in hearing his take on things.
 
     Film at 11.
 
   --Strat
 
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