Ohio men awarded $300K after they were thrown out of council meeting, arrested

Darrell Petrey and Tony Thomas have been awarded nearly $300,000 in a settlement after Wilmington city officials threw them out of a council meeting and had them arrested.

[@Wcpo9]

Watch our initial I-Team report about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpOsiqCoqLaqqdU

[@codylovelace2237]

This will keep getting worse. They want this. They want America so deep in debt that it will never recover.

[@bobsmith-qu2oq]

YOu are cowards and bigots. IF this had been some Republican council you'd have been alll over those council members. That is why nobody trusts your lies.

[@davidinchcliff4560]

Should have sued the cops too, and should have sued the city until they was broke to make them think twice

[@michaelsmallarz7183]

The council members should pay, not the tax payers.

[@frankcastle2298]

was screaming the same thing

[@doncirelli4797]

EXACTLY. End Qualified Immunity.

[@jlambe19]

Along with the police officers doing the arrest

[@post-leftluddite]

It should come out of the police pension....all settlements should....I bet if they did, I bet we'd suddenly see all those "good cops" we're constantly hearing about actually do something about the criminal officers sitting right next to them

[@sandraherbst6582]

The City is required to have insurance, so that insurance most likely paid them off. However, tax payers paid for the cops, attorneys, council members to incur the suit in the first place.

[@Subangelis]

Criticizing officials is EXACTLY what the First Amendment is for.

[@elzippo488]

Backed by the 2nd.

[@user-fi7hw3ly4u]

Yep. Let's all realize who/what Democrats really are by looking at what they say/do, history, and their published works, one in particular- ''We're trained Marxists''-Patrisse Cullors BLM founder/Democrat, vs., ''I have learned a great deal from Marxism as I do not hesitate to admit''-Adolf Hitler. ''If we are Socialists then we must definitely be anti-Semites, for the opposite in that case is materialism and mammonism which we seek to oppose. How as a Socialist can you not be an anti-Semite?''-Adolf Hitler. I like posting that parallel to show that the stated economic and governmental ''goals'' of Marxism and Fascism are in fact identical, making both Leftist ideologies, and all anyone has to do to see this is pick up copies of the Communist Manifesto and the NAZI 25 Point Political Platform and compare them. This is the reason WHY the Democratic Party's political playbook Rules For Radicals by Saul Alinsky is factually FULL of NAZI tactics like Goebbels' ''projection'' and ''ridicule'', while also being dedicated ''to the first radical Lucifer'' aka the Father Of Lies. Both Obama and Hillary claimed Saul was their ''mentor''. You would expect that most Democrats would have read that book due to that alone, but sadly very few actually have. We have to KNOW OUR ENEMY if we are to defeat them. Remember, our subversive CIA did in fact import 1600 WWII NAZI's to our country right after the war during Operation Paperclip 1946-1954. They recruited a few and released the rest into ALL aspects of our society, academia included. It's no coincidence that Fabian Socialist academic indoctrination to anti-American Marxist/Fascist/Leftist ideologies began at about the same time based on the Hegelian Dialectic and the calculated lie of ''far Right Fascism''. ''We'll know our disinformation campaign is complete once EVERYTHING the American people believe is a LIE''-William J. Casey CIA Director 1981-1987. And here we are... This lie of far Right Fascism has done two very nefarious things, 1., it's REMOVED the NAZI's FROM Marxist ideology thereby making indoctrination TO the ideology easier, the reason Ms. Cullors' and Hitler's quotes ''line up'', and, 2. it's divided us as Americans by creating a false ''middle'', i.e. no one wants to be too far Right for fear of being called a NAZI, and no one wants to be too far Left for fear of being called a Commie, when in fact there is NO MIDDLE. There's only PRO-FREEDOM Right ideology based on our Founding Principles of LIMITED/SMALL government and Classic Liberalism, i.e. equality of individuals/opportunity, and ANTI-FREEDOM Left ideology based on the works of Marx, Lenin, Hegel etc. it's as simple as that, like it or not. At one time BOTH the Republican and Democratic Party's were FULL of Classic Liberals, unfortunately the Democratic Party has been infiltrated by Leftists and Leftists are not Liberals by any stretch of the imagination my friend, just the opposite. This is exactly what has happened over the past 70 years and it cannot be denied, the evidence is all around us. WWII history proves the same, i.e. the early WWII 1939-1941 "birds of a feather" alliance of Germany/Russia due to a non aggression pact, the Belarusian NAZI SS and Soviet Swastika all prove Hitler not only fought/murdered Socialists/Communists later during the war, he recruited/used them as well early during the war. That dichotomy is due to the undeniable fact that Leftists ALWAYS ''eat their own'', a fact demonstrated by the Democratic Party's use of Cancel Culture against those in their OWN party who aren't ''Far Left enough''. ANTIFA/BLM are in fact the Fabian Socialist academia created ''New NAZI's'' who ''activate to violence'' at the mention of a few ''key words'' from CIA Operation Mockingbird MSM.

[@VillageOfTheDarned1]

Our current 'government' doesn't seem to think that our Constitution applies to them.

[@sip3911]

So have people like you pay yourselves. You're only hurting the taxpayers dumb dumbs. There are rules in systems or there is chaos. 1st ammendment doesn't give you the right to lie or make assumptions. It's about facts and law and procedures.

[@bjvu9460]

lol. criticize a judge and see what happens. The US laws is a bunch of illusions to protect the US image . The US is no better than Iran but they do go about how they oppress its citizens differently

[@savage-goose]

When you break the law, you go to jail. When the government breaks the law, they take taxpayer money to pay the victims. Insanity.

[@dopeytripod]

seems we allow it

[@jjjt2168]

yup its 2024 wonder if we going to change that this year. I feel like the more people that keep putting law suits out the city literally will run out of tax payer money and force the officers to pay up worth a try.

[@handyhistorian]

Most taxes are already legalized theft, so they're robbing you (!) to pay for their crime

[@denverlilly3669]

How did the government break the law?

[@sidwhiting665]

To be fair, they settled out of court, so yes the taxpayers foot the bill. If the victims had decided to take them to court for 1st Amendment infringement, it likely could have ended in convictions of multiple individuals within the Govt after spending tens if not hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in legal fees for trials and appeals, then on top of that the taxpayers would've also footed the bill for jailing those found guilty. Jails ain't cheap, that's for sure. So.... there's that to consider. This might have actually been the "cheapest" way out for everyone concerned. We as a people have decided to foot the bill for a certain amount of Govt legal fess and settlements, because if we offered no protection for anyone, then it's doubtful anyone would want to serve in any Govt office. Although this case was legit, plenty others are not, and disgruntled citizens are known for filing frivolous lawsuits when they don't get their way. Imagine what it would be like if individuals serving in Govt were responsible for their own legal fees: if you lived in a town of 100,000 it would be easy to find a couple dozen people to file lawsuits against the mayor who would be bankrupted defending himself, even if he were innocent of all charges. In conclusion, it's not a perfect system by far, but we have to consider why it works the way it does, and "because they're stupid" is not (always) the answer.

[@OnePieceWonPeace]

Our politicians are just getting more and more brazen about their corruption.

[@billwilson5341]

And who is allowing it?

[@OnePieceWonPeace]

@@billwilson5341 enough of us that allows them to keep doing it.

[@timpreisser5462]

cause we the people do nothing to them , so they will do there woke wef democrap garbage

[@sethblvck]

look at the polls. I only know of nicky haley cuz everyone fkn hates her

[@DerekWhite-yx2ce]

The super Mayor of Dalton agrees. Lol

[@janofb]

These officials should be permanently banned from office.

[@kidwave1]

Corruption is UBIQUITOUS now! From the public educators, employees and officials, ...city councils, police, prosecutors and judges, of the smallest towns, right up thru the congress, senate and presidency! There isnt an honest public employee or official, cop, or politician in America, OR ANY COUNTRY! This is an entirely unsustainable situation! We are living in Bizarro world now, where honesty, truth, honor and empathy, ...and dutiful civil service and representation of the citizens, have been replaced by deceit, lies, greed and self serving apathy, and abuse of power and of the system, ...for personal gain and retaliation against citizens that bruise their precious, entitled egos, or expose their corruption!

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

That would require a felony conviction most likely. Depends on state law and the city charter.

[@NostalgiaHDOS]

@@nonyadamnbusiness9887 what do you call kidnapping?

[@alphagt62]

These two men should run for office! Against those who threw them out. Should be an easy win

[@KingPossum]

so abuse of office, unlawful imprisonment, seems like more than enough to make felony convictions if the city wasn't correct and the DA did their job properly@@nonyadamnbusiness9887

[@EricFullwood]

It is our civic duty to fight corruption at all levels of government.

[@PenelopePitstop888]

It absolutely is but most people just let crap slide.

[@matthew28-acts238]

@@PenelopePitstop888 These men allowed the city to pay them off, so the city doesn't have to admit wrong doing, or breaking the law. This is not a win for Freedom.

[@PenelopePitstop888]

@@matthew28-acts238 nope, but a win for their wallet. Cha-ching💚

[@knine8154]

​@@matthew28-acts238Let's see if the city does it again🤡

[@knine8154]

@bleachknight90 Insurance companies have policies on most public offices, including police. There are several instances of those companies dropping them, in the long run its a win-win for the public

[@kaykartz9167]

Disgraceful that these officers arrested these men for exercising their Constitutional right to free speech.

[@jedclampett6466]

How should justice be served on the officers that carried out the unlawful order?

[@mchrysogelos7623]

@@jedclampett6466it should against all who were involved. WE (taxpayers) are the ones PAYING the fine INSTEAD of the EVIL, CORRUPT lawbreakers - council, police chief and policemen - their job is KNOWING THE LAW, yet they BROKE IT and WE pay.

[@Llllbbb.123]

I’m surprised no one else stood up for the two men who were standing up for them. Shameful. I’m proud of these guys.

[@kjnoah]

If only they hadn't dismissed their claims with hush money stolen from the tax payers.

[@ICU-Witness]

It just makes the bootlickers easy to spot. Know your enemies.

[@robhint8909]

most people are sheep and cowards

[@149iqyetcantuseanalogiesproper]

@@robhint8909 Yes everyone that votes and can't think for themselves and need a corrupt politician to think for them.

[@sethblvck]

they are in a heavily liberal city. They seemed like the only center- right leaning people. The left will do anything to silence opposition, including breaking the law for it. Vivek 2024

[@01gtbdaily30]

The police who arrested them violated their oath of office and should be fired

[@HawksDiesel]

Dereliction of duty

[@davealmighty9638]

They should face federal charges. Willful violations of civil rights is a federal crime, but the DOJ doesnt have the balls to pursue it.

[@real100talk5]

Sued personally also.

[@edenbreckhouse]

Police only get fired if they hurt the feelings of black and gay people.

[@kdscrapping4452]

good luck with that , nobody will be affected!!

[@lynnbonzon7313]

I applaud the fact that these men were awarded this money after their unalienable rights were violated, but it should be the public servants who should be on the line for the $300k not the tax payers. Abolish qualified immunity and watch how quickly these public servants stop violating our rights!!!

[@rmxrider20032000]

I honestly think that if qualified immunity goes away, so will the bodycams.

[@LookingAround-rs2km]

By public servants, I certainly hope you're including city managers, mayors, city council, congress, judges, cps, clerks and I can go on and on

[@MyIOnU]

Yeah these officials do not care, since it's not their money.

[@cycleboy8028]

The way it works, the taxpayers "hire" those that violated these men. If these settlements aren't a wake up call to the general populace that they need to pay attention to their govt actors, they will keep paying. Yes, that means people who are outraged need to get their neighbors to wake up too or they will all keep paying.

[@jennynevins6329]

No, that would be completely the wrong thing to do. In this age of police officers, being jailed for defending themselves when a minority comes after them, you think that anyone would remain a cop is qualified immunity was gone? There has to be some way that we can deal with these abuses that we just saw with police officers without throwing the rest of them to the wolves. In the end, no one will be a police officer, and then you tell me what happens.

[@rayl3103]

Textbook definition of violation of First Amendment rights.

[@robhint8909]

back the blue til it happens to you...

[@travisb1757]

Anti-American fascists. There is a 1st amendment for a reason.

[@n.w.414]

Good for them for suing and yes, it is appalling that no one in the room objected to them being arrest. We have to speak up people or you will be next.

[@mchrysogelos7623]

it is the principle behind the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates. Very short - but GOOD -read.

[@randyvaughn4046]

Tax payers lost. Lawyers won. A lot of stress for Tony and Darrel. Counsel and cops qualified immunity. Disgusting 🤮

[@richbeck152]

FREE SPEACH ALSO WON 💯!!!!!

[@drifterbbb3649]

@@richbeck152 Not really. City didn't admit fault. Money was paid out from taxpayer funds. Petrey and Thomas dropped their claim, and NOTHING will change. No case law established. Qualified immunity is the big winner over free speach.

[@mikewaterfield3599]

The cops are the instrument of policy not it’s creators or arbitrators. The council bears sole responsibility.

[@wvincus5522]

True

[@vancomycinb1193]

Actually, I'm not sure they actually GET qualified immunity. I think it's not supposed to be given for little things like violations of constitutional rights.

[@Usernotfound31231]

And none of those cops should ever be allowed to have a job in law enforcement ever again.

[@ragheadand420roll]

THEY ARE ALL LIKE THIS

[@dalejohns2758]

​​@ragheadand420roll Nope! And what's just as bad is people like you saying ALL are like this. Because they are not ALL like that. Just the radical Left and this Administration that's Silencing Americans.

[@Gee-xb7rt]

@@ragheadand420roll right? they don't even know what the laws they are enforcing are. I'm sure these guys and my politics differ greatly, don't know what their opinions are, but our 1st and 4th amendments are currently under attack all over the country, even Chuck Schumer wants to erase them, deplorable behavior.

[@nettakay2116]

The cops didn't make the decision...they were following orders. It's the man standing by the door in the white shirt with the gun on his hip who gave the order. I watched other news feeds on this story.

[@russelwilliams3243]

@@nettakay2116 Just following orders is not an excuse...

[@joyleff790]

This is happening all over the country- You give little people a little power and they think they can do whatever they want.

[@mikefalk715]

Unbelievable Why should these officials be let off the hook for this. This should come out of their pay.

[@KGditto]

This isnt justice at all. Zero accountability for the politicians and officers.

[@mrtee3988]

The outcome is none of them got into trouble, and taxpayers copped a huge fine. Something is very wrong...

[@kidwave1]

Corruption is UBIQUITOUS now! From the public educators, employees and officials, ...city councils, police, prosecutors and judges, of the smallest towns, right up thru the congress, senate and presidency! There isnt an honest public employee or official, cop, or politician in America, OR ANY COUNTRY! This is an entirely unsustainable situation! We are living in Bizarro world now, where honesty, truth, honor and empathy, ...and dutiful civil service and representation of the citizens, have been replaced by deceit, lies, greed and self serving apathy, and abuse of power and of the system, ...for personal gain and retaliation against citizens that bruise their precious, entitled egos, or expose their corruption!

[@SegoMan]

@@mrtee3988 "Shady" Business as usual..

[@srobeck77]

You must not get out much. In NY, cops arent even doing their jobs anymore because of threats of prison and personally being sued. They are like the prom queen on the floats now and just wave at everybody.

[@larrybud]

Individuals need to be held responsible, not tax payers. Hope these guys run for council and get these people kicked off.

[@23Butanedione]

Dude you have no idea, a woman from Philadelphia got a DUI and crashed into a state building. She sued the city and won millions

[@elijahmiller912]

So they can become corrupt also??? Almost 250 years of corruption and you are still pushing a system that scientifically CANNOT work

[@kidwave1]

Corruption is UBIQUITOUS now! From the public educators, employees and officials, ...city councils, police, prosecutors and judges, of the smallest towns, right up thru the congress, senate and presidency! There isnt an honest public employee or official, cop, or politician in America, OR ANY COUNTRY! This is an entirely unsustainable situation! We are living in Bizarro world now, where honesty, truth, honor and empathy, ...and dutiful civil service and representation of the citizens, have been replaced by deceit, lies, greed and self serving apathy, and abuse of power and of the system, ...for personal gain and retaliation against citizens that bruise their precious, entitled egos, or expose their corruption!

[@kevinduveneck1504]

Some of the settlement money in these lawsuits should come out of the police pension funds. Then there might be more incentive for these cops to think about what they are doing rather than just following illegal orders from above.

[@neilkurzman4907]

Maybe the taxpayers will be more careful about who they vote for.

[@donbabcock2062]

Money should come from the offenders not taxpayers. The council members should pay out of their own pockets.

[@thomasszmidt2469]

The council people need to realize THEY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT ABOVE ANYONE

[@DonIsadick-mf3gv]

Problem is none of those people were personally sued. They all have qualified immunity. So the tax payer paid the suit. We need to end qualified immunity completely in this country if things are ever going to be fair.

[@finddeniro]

Insurance jobs.

[@Ihat31di00ts]

However if you elmiminate qualified immunity people would be suing cops left and right just because they didn't like how the cop spoke to them, or a politician and or politicians can use it as retaliation against someone who doesn't agree with what they're saying... So yeah qualified immunity sucks but it would also suck very much to not have it

[@soberjudgementofficial]

Seems they payed bribes to cover crimes with tax payer money.

[@mikehathaway2842]

There was a case that was settled against some cops and the attorney as part of the settlement insisted the two officers write a $5,000 check and the city could not reimburse. I think more attorneys need to push for this, IE we will make a deal but it has to cost the people involved something. yes its like a traffic ticket but its still something.

[@dirtymikeandtheboys7900]

What about the police who carried the arrest? They need to lose their jobs for carrying out an unlawful order for money

[@derekstarkjr5128]

Audit them?

[@HawksDiesel]

Yep. Dereliction of duty

[@countbenjamin1442]

Nope they have qualified immunity

[@justaguy-69]

@@countbenjamin1442 that just means the taxpayers will have to pay for their crimes

[@debbiebrantley61]

Qualified immunity doesn’t mean they can violate civil rights.if someone pursued it they could easily be fired for arresting them

[@wvincus5522]

Good to see these men prevail. People need a voice.

[@FirstLastOne]

And do you think those corrupt council members learned a single thing after using tax payer dollars to pay that $300,000 lawsuit against them? The laws need to change to make them personally $$$$$$ responsible for their actions, then you'll suddenly see respect.

[@davealmighty9638]

Under 18 USC 241,when 2 or more people conspire to violate someones constitutional rights thru intimidation, or other means, it is always a felony, even if no other felonies have been committed in the act. The council members, and police chief should be federally charged under this statute. It carries a mandatory 10 year prison sentence. The DOJ need to grow a pair of balls and start enforcing this statute.

[@sharthun2009]

Unfortunately the federal prosecuter's deem these crimes to minor to pursue.

[@TM-eo8eb]

The department of justice under this present administration is the problem-there is no way they would pursue federal charges against those who are on their side.

[@donnie1581]

100%@@TM-eo8eb

[@harryv6752]

@@TM-eo8eb So true. It's the rainbow administration for criminals. And what a clown show it is.

[@DarkSaber1212]

Thanks for the info!

[@MrPhotodoc]

It's called intimidation and it's the oldest trick in the book. Governments need to know who they are working for.

[@johnnichols2710]

Amen to that

[@patrickgarrison7640]

I'm pretty sure the men told the counsel members just that, that they work for them, the people. That's when the members "felt threatened" and had them arrested. That's not a threat, that's a fact.

[@hehhaha8232]

they DO know who they work for. They work for the fucking jews.

[@neal-stewart834]

they know they dont work for us WE ARE THE ENEMY fact

[@TeresaLS1063]

More and more it seems the Government works for Satan!

[@greggapowell67]

tyrants should have to pay the award out of their own pockets.

[@columbiawarmachine9795]

They should have got 30 million each , this kind of stuff them trying to silence them and arrest them. The council members should be in jail

[@johnferguson6389]

The Wilmington city council members should be made to pay the $300,000 but unfortunately it will be the taxpayers who will have to foot the bill.

[@BobBob-eh5sb]

True, but at least the council can’t spend it. And hopefully the rest of the taxpayers may take notice and vote differently next time.

[@dsch1znit]

The tax payers voted for them as representatives of the tax payers, the tax payers are equally responsible. This is why it’s important to research candidates before voting for them.

[@edenbreckhouse]

Well, the taxpayers did vote in the morons so that only seems fair.

[@edenbreckhouse]

@@BobBob-eh5sb They won't. They never do.

[@MyIOnU]

Maybe next time they will learn better not to vote for these people into the office again.

[@BlahBlah-em2ed]

The citizens should be concerned that the city council is acting above the law and vote them out.

[@robhint8909]

arrest them and cops for violating rights and breaking their oath of office

[@codylovelace2237]

Because voting works lmao

[@mkvv5687]

@@codylovelace2237 Yes, it does.

[@juliapigworthy]

THe sort of council that arrested dissenters for asking legitimate questions at the podium of a public council meeting is not going to be running honest elections where the public have any realistic chance of forcing them out of office.

[@smallfeet4581]

I think the wheels are in motion and will be hard to stop , if you can vote them out by all means do so and I wish people all the luck to do so , you have to stand up to this

[@K3nVV]

...very curious as to why taxpayers are paying this? Absolute nonsense.

[@alovesupreme8603]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!! ❤FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT !!!!!!!

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

Handcuffs - once used to subdue those that posed a physical threat; now they're used to subdue those that have the wrong opinion. $300K is nice, but should've been more, much, much more.

[@stanzzup6652]

And paid by the violators not the tax payers.

[@SeArCh4DrEaMz]

I completely agree, this is beyond outrageous!

[@jamescarlsen2789]

No.. These 2 guys were fools for settling out of court... They let the establishment get away with it.

[@lennysamatulski9456]

Thats a drop in the bucket for city government, and the taxpayers got to pay and most of them probably don't even know about it.

[@patrickgarrison7640]

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why the police would actually carry out unlawful and un-Constitutional orders to arrest them. It's absolutely ludicrous and insane that they all violated their Oath of office. They should've flat out refused and arrested the City council members who asked them to arrest the two men instead. That's how the "law" is supposed to work.

[@aleccrombie7923]

I was only carrying out orders, said the defender's at Nuremberg.

[@dougaltolan3017]

It's not unconstitutional, it's just wrongful arrest. The constitution stats that Congress shall make no law respecting...., or a bridging the freedom of speech. No one or body was making such a law. The fact that no such laws *can* be made means that speech cannot be illegal (mostly). So thier arrest was wrongful, but no one made any laws.

[@patrickgarrison7640]

@@dougaltolan3017 it is un-Constitutional to arrest someone for speaking freely. Period.

[@dougaltolan3017]

@@patrickgarrison7640 No, it isn't, it's illegal. Period Show me where it says that in the constitution.

[@patrickgarrison7640]

@@dougaltolan3017 it's un-Constitutional. You must have some kind of mental barrier that prevents you from understanding what un-Constitutional means. I don't know what else to tell you

[@corey8420]

Im a retired cop and I can tell you, almost every Chief of police is a pupet of the city council and has sold his soul to them. Additionally, I have been directed to arrest people by supervisors more than once for something that was not illegal or they "creatively" made a law fit a person's actions. I once had a supervisor arrest someome for a "crime" that was not a crime. I was told to take the suspect to jail. I took the person to the police department and released them. I paid the price for always standing up for right and wrong in my career, but I made it to retirement. Most people who did what I did get fired.

[@ricksteen935]

Now it is time to sue the individual council members, police chief and anyone else for violating their Constitutional rights. The city should not have to foot the bill for this.

[@entertainmentextremenetwor652]

City council member needs to be fired for breaking the laws in put in jail too

[@legendarygigolo823]

The council members should be required to pay the money out of their own pockets.

[@dorcasmcleod9439]

Amazing! As Lawyer Robert Barnes says, sue, sue, sue. Force the issue to get recognition.

[@mr.grotto]

A dismissal of claims does nothing to stop them from doing it again.

[@miapdx503]

"We're gonna sue the heck out of you!" A man of his word! They were out of pocket.

[@foam27]

No, the taxpayers were.

[@jarrettreynolds4560]

@@foam27 still not their fault. The council members should have paid.

[@JustaGuy_Gaming]

To bad they gave in so easily. 300k, after his lawyer takes probably 30-40% (assuming it worked based on winnings) isn't a whole lot. His settlement also destroyed his argument and proved he really didn't care. When you settle they silence you and they face no punishment. Just more money out of the tax payers wallets to pay it off.

[@seanrhone5306]

But the city officials need to be held accountable!

[@Tijuanabill]

Then vote them out.

[@TheDarkLasombra]

Too bad the guys settled with money instead of justice.

[@seanrhone5306]

@@TheDarkLasombra Yeah, but cannot blame him either. Elected people never are held accountable and it's probably the only justice he'd ever see.

[@artifactsandbigracks3999]

How is the council being punished ? I live in Ohio and it seems like more and more abuse of power is happening. Until elected officials can be held personally responsible, this stuff will not end✌️😎 Let freedom Ring

[@fergalstackstreams]

This shouldn't have been a civil trial, it should have been a criminal trial. The police chief and the council should be in prison for violation of the United States Constitution.

[@brent9393]

Police offers need to stand up and refuse to collude with tyrants

[@Rnemhrd]

They are a huge part of the problem. Huge. 90% just do their jobs like sheep.

[@RichSmithson]

Hard to do when those tyrants are in charge of your funding. Police need to be seperate to government and they 100% need to start saying NO when corrupt politicians want them to mess with citizens.

[@husky3g]

@@RichSmithson This is the exact reason most people like their sheriff's office and not their local/state PD. Sheriffs are elected, local and state PD is appointed by gov't.

[@phoxpharms]

but first they themselves would have to not be tyrants, which 99% of all police are. Police are literally private employees of the city. Troopers are private employees of the state. Only the Sheriff has any actual authority as provided in the constitution. If we don't vote for them, they can't order us around. Never back the blue because they will never back you. You don't sign their paychecks.

[@jebediahkerman8245]

@@RichSmithson The only law enforcement written into the constitution is the elected Sheriff’s office. Police shouldn’t exist, it should all be under the Sheriff

[@Freedom17762]

Those board members should be locked up for violating the first amendment. Did any of the board members get fired? Highly doubt it.

[@foff-666]

" a room full of oath takers watched it " - spot on. pathetic. they should all be stripped of their jobs, titles and be sued personally. how dare they.

[@travisb1757]

The offenders should pay. Not the taxpayers. I am glad something is being done about all the fascism we are seeing in our country.

[@SuperMike-WonderWendy]

Great job standing up for your rights! We need to keep speaking the truth!

[@randoir1863]

I hope they go back for a 2nd round and sue again if they get arrested !!!

[@shindersamra4020]

All public councilmen should be banned for life for abusing public office

[@DanielCollins85]

If that was me, for the next YEAR I would be at EVERY city council meeting open to the public. No matter what. It'd be my new job.

[@doc693]

The only thing that would make this better is if the cops actually went to jail themselves.

[@AngelLuisEspada1970]

Yes, they are much inept sadistic psychopaths tyrants

[@fiolds350]

Exactly

[@causticchameleon7861]

This settlement in no way should be paid with tax payer money. Each officer and council member should come out of their own pocket with the money.

[@rumplestiltskin7304]

They need to also sue the police for false and illegal arrest. Another 300K would do.

[@joez.2794]

Cost of doing business, as far as the city is concerned.... the business of denying you your rights, while you pay the cost!

[@nadasurf9009]

For generations this has been happening

[@patrickd.mcginnis9103]

This is happening all over this country. I was arrested for speaking out during a Public Comment period. I just wish we had attorneys as brave as you had.

[@lawaincooley6788]

It's not too late. Find another. You obviously have a case.

[@GaM3RaDaR]

Record & share too, to locals & online, only way to fight corruptions just be careful never know how far these tyrants will go.

[@Tijuanabill]

@@lawaincooley6788 You don't know if it's too late. It could be past the statute of limitations.

[@standagainstevil6824]

He prob made it up bro@@lawaincooley6788

[@garykilgore6718]

I wish people would stop settling these suits. You don’t accomplish anything if you don’t get them in front of a jury.

[@ianalan4367]

When unjustly being arrested this is exactly how to handle it. Don’t resist. Fight it afterward in court.

[@darrellpetrey7474]

Good advice

[@ryanphillips4218]

Dismissing the claim means the city has no official record of violating someone right to address their grievances. Plus the "we have no comment" ... and it seems to me the city council learned nothing about respecting anyone's rights. I suspect they only learned to be more careful about retaliation in the future.

[@rmxrider20032000]

Nothing is going to change there. They know that their salary will never be touched and that the tax payers have to foot their bill, add in qualified immunity and it continues on for eternity.

[@kennethwilliams1390]

They should have demanded an apology in the council meeting.

[@pk-cp1bo]

Thank you to these two men of courage. "Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing."

[@catherinechiara3914]

Courage is contagious. Congratulations gentlemen!!! We're one step closer to keeping our democracy because of you!!!

[@Cheezwizzz]

Yeah by grabbing 300k of OUR money!! Genius

[@husky3g]

@@Cheezwizzz You mean the city councilors handing them $300K of your money. The councilors broke the law, not the guys that got arrested.

[@Cheezwizzz]

@@husky3g These two fat wankers are Sov cits, all they do is harass public servants to hopefully sue. They’re glorified ambulance chasers. They’re robbing your tax money. Enjoy

[@J---d]

@@Cheezwizzz if this grinds your gears.. you must be furious over ukraine and all socialist programs in the US lol i would be too

[@Cheezwizzz]

@@J---d No, not at all

[@MyHighHorse]

Tax payers paid the lawsuit. It should be eye for an eye. The city council and police should be arrested and charged.

[@suzannesb1691]

I am sure it was stressful, thanks for standing up, for everyone

[@mattfritch6375]

Don't forget you were "arrested" by someone who took an oath as well so theres that.

[@robbeun3792]

Abolish qualified immunity!

[@jamierupert7563]

Please sign the petition at "Americans Against Qualified Immunity". It's quick and it's free. 4 states have abolished it. Let's get the other 46.

[@robbeun3792]

@@jamierupert7563 thank you, I will!

[@rudybarajas4159]

DAMN RIGHT !! Congratulations guys and thank you for seeing this injustice through the courts !!

[@rlford10]

They DROPPED the lawsuit...nothing was proven, no wrong was righted, no injustice was addressed...nothing. Only thing that happened was the 2 guys split a few dollars after the attorneys were paid, and the tax-payers fleeced out of more money to defend the idiot City Council Clowns!!!

[@phatplates]

Justice wasn't served. The officers who participated and the council members need to be arrested and jailed.

[@mrtee3988]

They settled...

[@user-df6lp8zw4g]

@@mrtee3988 For a good reason, dunce.

[@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547]

DUH because they settled out of court, there was no action taken "through the courts" DUH

[@lindsaymclaren8945]

The council members and the police department should pay out of their pockets

[@whatthe3711]

they dont care because it is not coming from their pockets, make them pay

[@kolar]

Every official and cop involved needs 10 years in jail for what they did to these men.

[@nicomeier8098]

Let me guess - no consequences whatsoever to the council or the council members, the police department or the police chief. And who's paying up? The tax payers, not the council members, not the police chief.

[@ClintonCountyOhioCorruption]

Actually, most all of the officials in that room that day are gone by resigning, quiting, stepping down, and soon to be fired. We are also going to be demanding the prosecution of the offenders.

[@e2U]

Now, If they would only make the corrupt city council and corrupt cops pay this from their pay, then send them to...or at least prison for 5 years.

[@libiure]

"a room full of oath keepers and they did nothing" - giving yourselves a title means nothing - not one person in the room knew state open meeting laws or federal 1st amendment laws - and if a city council attempted to stop me from talking - i'd be at every meeting for the rest of my life - if to say nothing but "you violated my rights and the taxpayers had to pay for your illegal activity "

[@ryanphillips4218]

I like that. And it's still redressing your grievances to the government .

[@guymetdrapedes220]

Taking the oath means nothing to most police and military unfortunately.

[@user-vl8qw8hp1g]

Everybody wants to be a tiger until it's time to do tiger stuff.

[@wswillett]

People in EVERY American city need to challenge the Gubmint Monkeys and get PAID!

[@timmytimtim0370]

They should all be pursued under RICO violations ?! If they want to act like a gang committing crimes together then they should be charged accordingly !

[@songman68]

When will the Police start telling council members we don't work for you we work for all tax payers. Then stand up to them and say we aren't kicking them out of these meetings.

[@WitnessingTyranny]

When they're not order following criminal oathbreakers.

[@Nun195]

So you want unelected bureaucrats to ignore elected officials?

[@standagainstevil6824]

How is that what you get from his comment? The cops should disobey an illegal order wth find your brain @@Nun195

[@guymetdrapedes220]

​@@Nun195seems more like they want law enforcement to enforce the law.

[@perfectomprg]

That money should come out of the pockets of the people that got them arrested. Individual responsibility is totally missing from these types of incidents

[@standagainstevil6824]

Make the police pay it. Tired of them obeying illegal orders

[@sas2300]

Unfortunately the taxpayers are footing the bill, which is why these councillors, just like the police won't change their behaviours.

[@danstout3154]

Time to change the laws to deal with todays reality and if a politician causes a loss that a civil type grand jury thinks they did knowingly the politician is immediately fired.

[@losslessthoughts]

If they weren't at fault, they wouldn't have handed over $300K

[@tobitsdogcasenerd]

I can’t say for sure but it does appear to me that the city made a decision fairly early on to try to settle this case. The arrest took place in April of 2023. The plaintiffs filed their section 1983 civil rights complaint on August 1, 2023. The case was terminated on November 30, 2023 after the settlement agreement was made. That’s very quick for a section 1983 action. The defendants didn’t answer the complaint or file a motion to dismiss and on September 18, 2024 the case was ordered to mediation. I can’t say for sure but one could read “between the lines” that the named defendants saw the weakness of their position and decided to not get embroiled in a lengthy litigation with the plaintiffs.

[@jamestfx2965]

​@@tobitsdogcasenerdpossible but if they take this to court the 2 guys lawyer gets to depose everyone, and call everyone present at the meeting as a witness. There is some undeniable facts they would have to answer for. All that then becomes public record.

[@Viewer4U]

If you knowingly arrest someone with no cause, you should be charged with a crime. No more free pass for law enforcement. Learn the law, or don't work in law enforcement. If you're unsure of a law, you can't arrest someone and say 'oops, my mistake'.

[@dougaltolan3017]

The cops would have been fed the line that the 2 guys were breaching the peace or were trespassed. You can bet your life that the councillors *didn't* say that thier feelings were hurt.

[@gigakrait5648]

@@dougaltolan3017 Speaking your mind in front of the city council isn't breaching the peace and they can't be trespassed from a public building.

[@dougaltolan3017]

@@gigakrait5648 for sure, but do you think those councilors wouldn't lie?

[@dougaltolan3017]

@@gigakrait5648 oh, and you can be trespassed from most public buildings

[@amb2745]

@@gigakrait5648 You can be trespassed from any building, public or private. Go to Wal-Mart some day and start trouble inside the store. If the manager tells you to leave, tell them it's a public building. Watch what happens next.....

[@shrinebox]

I'm sorry to hear that they settled their suit. It allows the council and the police to get away with what they did, because a condition commonly present in such settlements is that defendants do not admit any wrongdoing. In principle, defendants can go on violating the legal rights of others. The only dissuasion from committing future violations on others is that the council and councilmembers possibly realize that someone will have to pay for their future malfeasance; however, the taxpayers are usually the ones who end up paying for the torts of their elected officials.

[@CraigClark-uw7yc]

That’s false arrest. They need to be charged. If not for these men’s families then for every American family. Press formal charges or they will keep doing it. The loss of money means literally nothing to them because they’re trying to bankrupt this country anyway. Suing actually helps their cause.

[@AlexRamirez-vz1vj]

Did the city council members or police get any type of discipline?

[@rrussell9731]

Take a guess.

[@dirtydigger3218]

Hopefully they sued the police and the department as well! UNLAWFULL ARREST!

[@tobitsdogcasenerd]

A police department cannot be a proper defendant in a federal civil rights suit originating out of Ohio (and most, but not all, states). {We note at the outset that the named defendant in this action, the Police Department of the City of Zanesville, is not a juridical entity subject to suit under Ohio law. See Crawford v. Zeitler, 326 F.2d 119, 121 (6th Cir.1964); Johari v. City of Columbus Police Dep't, 186 F.Supp.2d 821, 825 (S.D.Ohio 2002); Fenstermaker v. City of Dayton, Ohio, 712 F.Supp. 639, 644 (S.D.Ohio 1988). The police department is a subdivision of a municipal corporation, the City of Zanesville, which is subject to suit. R.C. § 715.01. The City of Zanesville, Tysinger's actual employer, ought to have been the named defendant in this action. Yet, inasmuch as the issue has not been raised by either party or the lower court, and considering that adjudication by default is disfavored, we liberally construe the complaint as having been brought against the City of Zanesville and proceed to consider the merits of Tysinger's claims.} _-Tysinger v. Police Dept. of City,_ 463 F. 3d 569 - Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit 2006 Although courts often “liberally construe” the naming of a police department in a section 1983 civil rights action as a suit against the municipality… courts will sometimes dismiss those claims against the department and not “liberally construe” those claims as claims against the city.

[@vieuxacadian9455]

If a person pays a speeding ticket it's regarded as admitting fault . Let that sink in a while.

[@Spaceballz123]

This is why nothing will change. You settled and no one is held accountable.

[@MI-GodFamilyFreedom]

True but also this at the very least might send a message to the corrupt leaders of that city that directed that action amd the corrupt pigs who carried out the illegal arrests. Said that taxpayers foot the bill instead of out of officials and police salary and dept. budget

[@firstjohn3123]

No admission of guilt ... so they are paying these people off, not actually admitting anything.

[@Tijuanabill]

It's a lawsuit, guy. The only thing that changed, is the amount. Losing a lawsuit doesn't result in the cops being fired, the city council removed, or anything else. The result of a settlement is literally the exact same as the result of a lost case.

[@tzoninghard2425]

If they didnt settle and won, no one would be in jail anyways.

[@rightsdontcomewithpermits7073]

All about getting paid.😂

[@tooge47]

and the COPS who CUFFED them suffered NOTHING, so NOTHING has really been accomplished

[@dennismood7476]

Each person who sues the government, the agency, or the individual actor has to make their own decision on accepting a settlement or going to trial. That being said, the only problem with accepting a settlement is that one of the conditions of the offending party always includes a statement that the settlement does not include an admission of guilt. By not taking their case to court, no trial ruling becomes an official part of case law. This allows the actual violators to go unscathed as far as any justice for their wrong doing. The only reason the government would settle is because they KNOW they are in the wrong. Otherwise, they would flagrantly spend the tax payer's money to go to trial without so much as a "by your leave" attitude. If at all possible, take cases like these to trial.

[@HairyBottom]

The cops who arrested the two guys should be arrested and spend 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

[@dixonpinfold2582]

If there were any justice, now all those responsible for their arrests would themselves be arrested, thrown in the clink, charged, tried and sent to prison.

[@donnie1581]

I would not have settled until there were criminal charges and trials against them.

[@decaprio7421]

I wonder what they were talking about in order for council and police to be pissed

[@alid6060]

We have to stop settling these cases and let them go to court and get found guilty.

[@joeycurtis1872]

Agreed, dismissing the case is a win for them. They then continue their corruption by using tax payer money to pay the men off

[@scooby2181]

Guilty of what? Free speech?

[@philthyphil3324]

@@scooby2181 you're clueless

[@Strider86]

@@scooby2181I think they mean guilty of violating their oath of office not free speech.

[@LoneLobo894]

Unless you're rich. I don't think many people could afford to take it to trial

[@PedoKingBoJideb]

The council members and the officer's need to be the ones to pay...also need to be charged...this is sick...why would i stop speeding if im not the one paying for the speeding tickets and nothing happens to me??Get where this is going...They have become to comfortable with our money and violating our rights blatantly in our faces...Some has to he done....

[@jt-el8540]

Gross... Get those idiots out of office and the police Chief too.