http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/30/7974/
Published on Sunday, March 30, 2008 by Newsday.com (New York)
Police Arrest Anti-War Protester, 80, At Mall
by Anastasia Economides & Matthew Chayes
An 80-year-old church deacon was removed from the Smith Haven Mall yesterday in
a wheelchair and arrested by police for refusing to remove a T-shirt protesting
the Iraq War.
Police said that Don Zirkel, of Bethpage, was disturbing shoppers at the Lake
Grove mall with his T-shirt, which had what they described as “graphic anti-war
images.” Zirkel, a deacon at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Wyandanch,
said his shirt had the death tolls of American military personnel and Iraqis -
4,000 and 1 million - and the words “Dead” and “Enough.” The shirt also has
three blotches resembling blood splatters.
Police said in a release last night that Zirkel was handing out anti-war
pamphlets to mallgoers and that mall security told him to stop and turn his
shirt inside out. Zirkel refused to turn his shirt inside out and wouldn’t
leave, police said. Security placed him on “civilian arrest” and called police.
When police arrived, Zirkel passively resisted attempts to bring him to a
police car, the release said.
But Zirkel said he was sitting in the food court drinking coffee with his wife
Marie, 77, and several others when police and mall security officers approached
and demanded they remove their anti-war T-shirts.
The others complied, but Zirkel said he refused, and when he wouldn’t stand up
to be removed and arrested, authorities brought over a wheelchair. “They
forcibly picked me up and put me in the wheelchair,” said Zirkel, a deacon at
one of the poorest Catholic parishes on Long Island, where a devastating fire
recently destroyed the rectory and storage areas.
Zirkel was charged with criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. He was
released on bail. A spokeswoman for mall owner Simon Property Group did not
immediately return calls seeking comment.
Generally speaking, a mall has the right to control what happens on its
property, said John McEntee, a Uniondale commercial litigation lawyer.
Activists with dueling opinions had gathered to support and oppose America’s
five-year campaign.
As Zirkel was being wheeled to the police car, the crowd chanted “We shall not
be moved!” Moments later, they moved; police and mall security had ordered them
off the property. Many joined a larger anti-war crowd assembled by the mall’s
entrance, off mall property, on Veterans Memorial Highway.
They were complemented nearby by protesters saying the Iraq war is vital for
security.
Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.
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135 Comments so far
greatbear215 March 30th, 2008 10:23 am
Life in a police state; thanks to conservative political ideology. A lot like
the “nipple,” the “tee-shirt” is also a big threat to America’s security.
Perhaps they should cover the nipple with the tee-shirt; that way America won’t
be so frightened.
MeAlsoToo_ARealist March 30th, 2008 10:23 am
“But Zirkel said he was sitting in the food court drinking coffee with his wife
Marie, 77, and several others when police and mall security officers approached
and demanded they remove their anti-war T-shirts.”
They should be glad they weren’t Tasered by Security, forcibly stripped of
their tee-shirts, then arrested for ‘Indecent Exposure’ once the official
Policia-arrived on-scene…[maybe during the next-Admin…as Kerry so obviously
would have approved-of in FL…?].
“Don’t Taze me, Bro!!!!”
truthmonger March 30th, 2008 10:33 am
I guess it’s okay for war recruiters to hand out pro-war pamphlets but not for
anti-war folks to hand out anti-war pamphlets. I guess freedom isn’t free.
citizen1 March 30th, 2008 10:37 am
Police and corporate state …. that’s how you get fascism.
lino March 30th, 2008 10:43 am
yes, sad to see army recruitment spots on prime time tv, mulit-million dollar
“recruitment centers” being built everywhere, even in towns of under 25,000
population, army recruiters on high school campuses, seeing recruiters driving
star-spangled hummers along freeways in major cities. but try wearing the wrong
clothing…
even sadder to see, here, only three posts on this article. perhaps the poor
response here is due to the fact that the names of nader or clinton or obama
were omitted.
KEM PATRICK March 30th, 2008 10:46 am
Well, the GOOD news is, he was released on bail. _____ Wonder how long that
benefit will still be in effect?
barksnotbites March 30th, 2008 10:47 am
Okay all you non-Americans sitting in judgement of the American people. Do you
get it? The Empire wants ALL under its thumb. There is no place on the planet
to be free of these criminals - unless all Earth citizens unite. There is not a
living creature that is not being or is to be - affected - unless we realize
what we all share in common. America, at one time, under different leadership
and different era, was able to rebuild other nations and be a hero. We cant
seem to even save ourselves now, people. Every Earth citizen has the authority
to speak truth to power. The more that do - the greater chance the human
species has of continuing to exist. Let go of your disappointment in the
American people. Do what you know you can do. Lead by example. We must all act
to save us all. Peace on Earth.
Poet March 30th, 2008 10:47 am
Ths is an example of the greatest offense that can be committed in our
society-not allowing “business as usual” is the number one sin one can commit
against the disciples of Mammon.
O roe March 30th, 2008 10:47 am
So I see according to John McEntee, a Uniondale commercial litagation lawyer
said, “GENERALLY speaking a mall has the right to control what happens on its
property.”????? This includes the BILL OF RIGHTS, as in the FIRST, we still
have that damn right, fascist scum. Litigation lawyer in Uniondale, must be a
proud like guy.
Since when the hell does mall trump Constitution, apparently when we have bush
et al roaming the halls of 1600.
KEM PATRICK March 30th, 2008 10:49 am
Well, it’s only been on the site for a few minutes LINO and maybe some of the
regulars are attending church services.____ Maybe not.
O roe March 30th, 2008 10:53 am
No email
Corporate Headquarters
Simon Property Group
225 West Washington St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
316-636-16oo
betfiske March 30th, 2008 10:56 am
What a conundrum! These protesters were “disturbing shoppers” with their
“graphic anti-war images” emblazoned on T-shirts…which were words “dead” and
“enough” and numbers “4,000″ and “1 million.” The only other images, it would
appear, were three blood splotches. I think someone’s confused. Graphic
anti-war images would be peace signs, wouldn’t they? Would the shoppers have
been as disturbed if, instead of being anti-war, the shirts with their blood
splotches had been PRO-war?! Anybody up for trying it at the same mall? I’m
curious what would happen. It’d be my bet that you wouldn’t be bothered by the
“police” at all.
workreno March 30th, 2008 10:56 am
Get use to it slaves And be sure to keep thinking that this is all going to go
away if only we choose the right decider.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4298137966377572665
It’s bipartisan Folks .You’ve all been had.
Unless you are supported candidates such as Gravel , Kucinich, Paul or any
other non pro NAU, NWO, NAFTA ,CAFTA One World Communist Regime candidate your
part of the problem and not part of the solution.
My hat is off to you Mr Zirkel
tonkatsu March 30th, 2008 10:56 am
I see a civil rights violation charge in the Mall’s future …
zoya March 30th, 2008 11:01 am
Well, I guess it’s Gitmo for that guy.
wilmoor March 30th, 2008 11:01 am
lino - poor response could be that people are sleeping in. Here on the west
coast it’s not yet 9:00.
Some day those people saying the war is vital for security might be awakened
from their blissful sleep to the nightmare they’ve helped create. We can hope.
Was just watching another drum roll for our bombing Iran on Meet The Press.
It’s pretty obvious why they’re so busy building those recruitment centers!
wilmoor March 30th, 2008 11:04 am
Seeing the time my first post has on it, I guess my rational for lack of
response was wrong.
O roe March 30th, 2008 11:08 am
It seems recruiters may dispose themselves of you, as a parent, by way of YOUR
personal email address and try to recruit your 17 yr old daughter.
I asked them how this was legal and where they obtained her info, she attended
a Friends School at the time, I knew it wasn’t them, plus I hadn’t realized the
age is 17. They would not tell me.
About 6 weeks ago I started going through every file I could open, cos of my
carrier I can see the HELOs and Paths, then I found something called, ‘AOL Army
or People and Army Connection’, I printed it, in order for this site to be
accessed it appeared you had to type ‘no’, then it led to recruiters, the no
was a dot matrix type printer graphic, no way.
Of course they use a GOV.LSTSERVE, then I see, 08, Murphy, my Rep. uses a Gov
listserve but no way can they be the same, then I see the Army stuff has my old
was good at the time password. I went to a local recruiter, said he doesn’t
understand the helos and paths and stuff, I said I don’t either I just traced
stuff over a year and it caught on logically. I asked, that being said is it
legal for the Army or my Congressperson to swap personal info, re;GOV.LSTSERVE,
He said Absolutely illegal. Have the file, they cringe everytime I walk in.
liberal with an attitude March 30th, 2008 11:15 am
normally i would say obviously we arent getting the whole story, it sounds like
he was up to more than wearing an offensive shirt. however, about a year ago i
was at my local grocery, and there was an elderly “hippie” couple from Maine in
an old Van (what else would they be driving) pasted with anti bush stickers
over the back. the woman ran into the store leaving the man in the van in the
loading zone. now this isnt being parked if someone is inside the vehicle. well
some young thug (cop) came over to hassle the old man. demandng he move the
van. (keep in mind that he isnt the only vehicle in the loading zone) well the
old man was obviously incapable of driving and was probably running low on his
faculties anyway, then as he was trying to drive the van the women came out and
began intstructing the officer that he cant drive and was pretty angry in her
reprimand of the officer, man did that officer hassle the living hell out of
them and wrote them a few tickets. but my story doesnt stop there, as I drove
by I simply asked the officer if he was proud of himself for picking on an
elderly couple, lights went on siren blared and he was issuing me a ticket,
when i asked what for he said you know what for. he gave me a ridiculous ticket
for obstructed licence plate bracket which was thrown out, but the point being
that these cops must be part of the stepford republicans. they must have been
“spoken” to about anti bush civil disobedience.
mark March 30th, 2008 11:34 am
your country is going straight to hell - human rights do not matter - military
and property rights only matter.
bughunter March 30th, 2008 11:43 am
Where private property serves as a public space, the rights to free speech and
free assembly must not be abridged.
Nowadays, very few publicly-owned spaces are appropriate for promulgating
messages beyond what the government and MSM echo. People gather in malls,
indoors and out. How convenient for the corporate empire, who claim no
obligation to permit free speech or free assembly.
When the time is right, this ingterpretation of the 1st amendment needs to be
taken all the way to the Supremes.
orbit7er March 30th, 2008 11:49 am
Here in New Jersey we won a lawsuit years ago during the Nuclear Freeze
Campaign which guaranteed groups right to have tables at the Mall.
However it was mostly a victory in name only - as soon as we tried to actually
do tabling the Mall put up barrier
Parallax March 30th, 2008 11:49 am
Boycott
sllawrence March 30th, 2008 11:49 am
Ah, America will sleep tonight, knowing that this dangerous 80 year old man and
his anti-war t-shirt have been apprehended.
ORoe (10:47) “Since when the hell does mall trump Constitution,”
Since action under the Constitution, in this case, might interfere with the
Higher Imperial Command of our monarch HRH George for Americans to “go
shopping”. You know how death and blood and guilt can interfere with a really
good shopping spree …
kuma57 March 30th, 2008 11:51 am
Why don’t we set up tee shirt stores and sell anti-war tee shirts in every
consumer mall.
AnnG March 30th, 2008 11:52 am
I hope the mall is boycotted. May their parking lot be empty.
joneden March 30th, 2008 11:53 am
I think we need a dancing clown at the entrance waving people in with a sign
stating “consciousness free shopping” guaranteed.
Richard Paine March 30th, 2008 11:54 am
And if those in the area were to boycott said mall would whomever came up with
such an idea be arrested as an economic terrorist? And if this boycott was
successful and even made the news, which side of the Constituion do you imagine
the owners of the stores would be on? Another small opportunity and an easy way
to make a statement, or do the people of the area just let this pass too? Maybe
some one might post more than just the mall owners but all the store names?
Impeach and Prosecute Now
All those who have broken with the US Constitution….Executive, Legislative, and
Judicial or you too may have to be careful what you wear and say
Doom n Gloom March 30th, 2008 11:55 am
Well old Don Zirkel showed some guts. His crime is that he violated the
corporate church, the mall. Zirkel offended the rights of consumers to spend in
bliss, absent untidy political reality. Who wants to be reminded that the coins
they spend are tainted with the blood of dead and dying Iraqi children, women,
and men. The KBR built concentration camps are designed for just this type of
dangerous criminal. Today the Mall is the front lines of the battle with
American Fascism. It is there that the war will be won or lost. Stop consuming
or recognize that you are Fascist sympathizer. Stop consuming and Fascism
falls. Thanks Don.
Old Hippy March 30th, 2008 11:57 am
Before there can be anything done, there is going to have to
be another “Kent State” Maybe then we’ll get off our fat
asses turn of the “big screen stupifying machine” and take to the streets like
that 87 yr old did. How many of you
computer junkies would do what Mr. Zirkel did.
chlorocardium March 30th, 2008 12:02 pm
They have privatized our Main Streets and now claim the right to silence us!
Damn that! Speak out anyway, folks.
bbr-001 March 30th, 2008 12:02 pm
There still are a lot of folks who believe in our administration’s Iraq
occupation. They don’t want Mr. Zirkel telling them they are wrong, and the
shopkeepers don’t want him distracting the customers. There are also a lot of
Iraq veterans and families of soldiers who REALLY don’t want to hear about it
all being wrong. They aren’t all winter soldiers, and the criticism tears them
up. It was an overreaction, but a shopping mall is technically private
property, and the police didn’t do anything until they were called.
If he had been roughed up on the street and the police looked the other way,
that would be a different story.
What happens if Mr. Zickel decides to take a vaction trip to Canada this
summer? Will he find himself stopped at the border, like former army officer
Anne Wright, because he is now on a list? That would be over the top.
Seaweed March 30th, 2008 12:03 pm
And for all you flag-waving s.o.b.’s: You want people all over the world to die
for this?
bobpomeroy March 30th, 2008 12:12 pm
Tough on Terrorism! We beat the local octagenarians even if we can’t impose our
will abroad. Will this arrest make it to court? Who will tell us what the
outcome of this is? Are we doomed to a future of geriatric unrest? My, my.
toddboyle March 30th, 2008 12:21 pm
Apparently without irony, John McEntee, a Uniondale commercial litigation
lawyer, said “Generally speaking, a mall has the right to control what happens
on its property”.
Since there are NO other public spaces where it is possible to speak in
American cities other than public markets (malls) and the public rights of way,
our freedom of speech under the constitution is abridged. Freedom of speech
inherently includes the right to speak where a listener may be reached. Not in
free speech zones, empty industrial zones, etc. We also have a right to the
public airwaves, which have been monopolized by global media conglomerates.
The malls are *public commons*. They are deliberately constructed to achieve a
critical mass of shoppers- that is a *commons*. It is the people in the mall
who are the object of possession here-not the real estate.
bbr-001 March 30th, 2008 12:22 pm
Hey Old Hippy:
You’re right. He’s braver than me. I wouldn’t do what he did. I remember not
being allowed in the local roller skating rink because my friends’ hair was too
long.
Don’t count on another Kent State. The kids are all little businessman
wannabes, and the Iraq war is just another franchised activity of the US
government so far as they are concerned. A lot of them are voting for McCain
because they like the way Republicans manage the economy! Ahhh!
Juliann March 30th, 2008 12:26 pm
In Aug 2004 I was told to leave the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Fairlawn OH for
asking a question.
Jerome Corsi, coauthor of “Unfit for Command” about John Kerry, was at the B&N
autographing his book. I went to the store, walked up to the table where he was
sitting alone (I did not see the few people in line behind a tall shelf of
books waiting for an autograph). I introduced myself, gave my name, & said “Mr
Corsi I have been asking a question for a year now and have not rec’d an
answer. Perhaps you can answer my question: Why is GWB fit to command?” Within
seconds there were 2 tall men standing on either side of me (and 2 standing by
Corsi who I swear to goddess had sweat beads on his upper lip and looked
terrified) - a woman came up to me and said “unless you are buying Mr Corsi’s
book you will have to leave the store.” (Not - “go to the coffee shop in the
store” or “go to another part of the store” - no - she said LEAVE THE STORE.)
She and the 2 tall men escorted me out of the store. In America.
I should have called the press. What on earth was I thinking? But I saw a
demonstration outside by the road & being who I am … I went there, grabbed a
sign and joined the protest against Corsi’s and his ilk.
I was kicked out of a Barnes & Noble Bookstore. In America. I’m 56 yrs old.
This is what we were warned about about the Soviet Union when I was growing up.
nellemason March 30th, 2008 12:26 pm
Who cares about the war . . . this old guy was “disturbing shoppers” and we all
know that shoppers must never be disturbed . . .
toddboyle March 30th, 2008 12:27 pm
Common Dreams has all our emails and identities. It is time for Common Dreams
to give us the opportunity to be in contact with each other. In a way, this
website is a public commons. It is being run as a top-down information capture,
like MoveON.org and eBay. Can’t we move at least partly towards being able to
contact each other individually? Even YouTube and Rupert Murdoch’s MySpace
allows that. Better yet, Common Dreams should allow *all* of us to select from
among 30 to 50 special interests, and allow us to publish our identities within
these subgroups, and communicate and organize some activities within our chosen
subgroups.
Ronald White March 30th, 2008 12:31 pm
“and try to recruit your 17 yr old daughter.”
To O roe
What better way to destroy American society and empire than to kill-off the
next generation . If any seventeen-year-old son or daughter , hasn’t with
parental help or by their own inquisitiveness figured out that the American
Army is like the Roman Army , there to expand the empire and the powers of the
“caesar-of-the-month” , Dem or Rep , then they deserve to be dim-witted but
willing “pawns” for the “kings”.
I have a better idea that Gandhi and King would definitely approve of : Let
your daughter sign up and then encourage her to desert and take her chances
like Ehren Watada and Jonathan Hutto . Better yet , you , join the ranks of the
grannies arrested for trying to enlist and then if they let you enlist ,
promptly quit.
Your actions are commendable but ignorable by white house , pentagon , ag ,
congress , justice department ( small case intended ). There is a single word
that trumps all anti-war words however truthful and eloquent and you know that
word : it’s Cheney’s “So”.
There are two words from combatants and three words from civilians that could
trump “So” and they would be respectively “I quit” and “We support you”
Otherwise carry on your wishful thinking .
pennerblu March 30th, 2008 12:34 pm
Yes, I think that would be a VERY effective response - Boycott that Mall.
Freedom of speech doesn’t belong to just the recruiters and pro-war mongers.
It’s events like these that tell the truth about where our countries morals
are. Boycott that damn mall.
dmac March 30th, 2008 12:43 pm
Way to go Mr. Zirkel!!!!
Believe me, I want to shove the truth of this war in the face of our lying
political leaders.
Take a look at my video (originally banned by YouTube) in which I attempt to
shatter the lies of Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz7iliaJDiI
To see an unedited version go to my web site:
http://nukular-waste.tripod.com/nukular-waste.htm
Party ’till W pukes,
Oscar Lewis
tinylotus March 30th, 2008 12:46 pm
“Freedom is another word for nothin’ left to loose”
Until WE americans get to that point of knowing this…that all of our “material
gain” is worthless and meaningless when our freedoms are gone….WE will continue
to close our eyes to the truth ( and jail people who want peace)….because WE
fear loosing possessions more and WE deem them more valuable than freedom…
All of the other countries that speak out against Americans have had wars and
reveolutions that have taken away possessions/lives/property and as a culture
they understand that Freedom is much more important and they are willing to
fight to the death for it….sadly Americans have not had this experience….yet….
lillulu March 30th, 2008 12:47 pm
Disgusting. An 80-year-old man arrested for wearing a T-shirt that hurt no one,
yet Britney Spears - whose “words of wisdom” were to just believe in and
support president Bush in everything he does - went around several times
without underwear in public exposing her “private” parts. She never got
arrested for that.
There’s no doubt the U.S. is a fascist police state.
magikpowerwoman March 30th, 2008 12:50 pm
In August 2004 I had to make a trip to Ohio. I had an old Taurus with
transmission problems and I wasn’t even sure it would make it there and back
(to Maine). I decided that if I had to go to the ever important Ohio I would
make my feelings known. So I “sharpied” up the car. On both sides were the
words (in beautiful calligraphy courtesy of my teenage artist daughter) Lick
Bush (and Dick). On the hood was a giant Bush with the circle of No around it.
On the back I put anti-war George Harrison lyrics. I wasn’t sure what I’d meet
on the way. My informal poll was that a majority of motorists gave me the
thumbs up and only two or three were negative. None were rude or threatening. A
lot of people thought it was great (my relatives in Ohio didn’t want me to park
the car anywhere near them). But I would NEVER do this now. No friggin’ way!
Way too dangerous, I’m sure I’d end up tasered and in jail. We’re on the edge
here in Amerika. If we get to the elections without martial law, I will breathe
a lot easier, but I’m planning for the worst. I hope the man arrested fights
this illegal fascist charge.
Mike Corbeil March 30th, 2008 12:55 pm
Trespassing? Ok, if and only if the mall bans all garments on which there are
any kinds of images and symbols, so including with respect to political party
affiliations. Else there’s no trespassing chargeable for people wearing
anti-war t-shirts; particularly when the wars in question irrefutably are of
aggression, the supreme international crime.
People living in the area of this mall, those who use it, that is, and who plan
on boycotting the Olympics in China cannot do this without also boycotting use
of this mall; and all others like this one, which is obviously ruled by
fascists, etc. Otherwise, it’d be hypocritical to boycott the Olympics because
of China’s human rights abuses.
“lino March 30th, 2008 10:43 am
…
even sadder to see, here, only three posts on this article.”
That’s awfully fanatical; it was still morning for MANY “Americans”, early
morning, and on a Sunday. Time to grow up; or else be a schmuck!
“perhaps the poor response here is due to the fact that the names of nader or
clinton or obama were omitted.”
And that’s awfully stupid.
barksnotbites posted stupidly too. When are “Americans” going to stop lying
about U.S. history, and cease communicating stupidly, both?!
” O roe March 30th, 2008 10:47 am
So I see according to John McEntee, a Uniondale commercial litagation lawyer
said, “GENERALLY speaking a mall has the right to control what happens on its
property.”????? This includes the BILL OF RIGHTS, as in the FIRST, we still
have that damn right, fascist scum.”
Fascist? Evidently, so yes. But the “thing” is that nothing was really
happening. As Mr Zirkel explains, he and his friends were peacefully seated
having coffee, which (I assume anyway, unless it’s stated in the article) is
sold at the mall. Wearing these t-shirts they had does not constitute something
happening, imo. After all, it’s not like the t-shirts jumped off of these
people and attacked or harassed other mall goers; and neither did these t-shirt
wearers take these off and throw them at anyone. The mall goers who are
insanely offended by such t-shirts should instead be told that they need to
seek psychiatric or psychological help.
And staying silent about crimes has recently enough become criminal under law
in some parts of North America! Well, either a crime, or else some other
offence punishable under law.
“Litigation lawyer in Uniondale, must be a proud like guy.
Since when the hell does mall trump Constitution, …”
The mall didn’t trump the Constitution, or nowhere as much as the police did
anyway. After all, the police could have told these mall authorities that these
peaceful, coffee-drinking, respectful, … activists weren’t bothering anyone,
that their Constitutional rights were not being stretched, and so on. The
police did not have to act as the mall authorities desired.
Anyway, and given that this story was published, local anti-war and rights
activists can now boycott use of this mall, and the more who do, the merrier.
It’d hopefully be enough to make a significant difference in terms of mall
revenues.
The goon mall authorities and police exposed their … goon characters, while the
peaceful and respectful activists come out like shining stars. Funny.
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