Student Arrested, Tasered at Kerry Event

1 hour ago

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A University of Florida student was Tasered and arrested after trying angrily and repeatedly to ask U.S. Senator John Kerry about the 2004 election and other subjects during a campus forum. Tuesday morning, a judge ordered the student released from jail on his own recognizance.

Videos of Monday's incident posted on several Web sites show officers pulling Andrew Meyer, 21, away from the microphone after he asks Kerry about impeaching President Bush and whether he and Bush were both members of the secret society Skull and Bones at Yale University.

"He apparently asked several questions — he went on for quite awhile — then he was asked to stop," university spokesman Steve Orlando said. "He had used his allotted time. His microphone was cut off, then he became upset."

As two officers take Meyer by the arms, Kerry, D-Mass., can be heard saying, "That's alright, let me answer his question." Audience members applaud, and Meyer struggles for several seconds as up to four officers try to remove him from the room.

Meyer screams for help and asks "What did I do?" as he tries to break away from officers. He is forced to the ground and officers order him to stop resisting.

As Kerry tells the audience he will answer the student's "very important question," Meyer yells at the officers to release him, crying out, "Don't Tase me, bro," just before he is shocked by the Taser. He is then led from the room, screaming, "What did I do?"

Meyer was arrested on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, according to Alachua County jail records, but the State Attorney's Office had yet to make the formal charging decision. Police recommended charges of resisting arrest with violence, a felony, and disturbing the peace and interfering with school administrative functions, a misdemeanor.

On Tuesday, Mayer was ordered released from jail on his own recognizance. Attorney Robert Griscti, who represented him, did not return messages seeking comment.

Orlando said university police would conduct an internal investigation.

"The police department does have a standard procedure for when they use force, including when they use a Taser," Orlando said. "That is what the internal investigation would address — whether the proper procedures were followed, whether the officers acted appropriately."



If Kerry had any balls, he would have stopped this from going this far. Instead, he keeps talking like there's nothing going on. There are three or four cops on this guy and they still had to tase him? Land of the free my ass.

Resisting arrest. Its a crime. It was committed by this guy. A guy who reports say runs a conspiracy theory web site. That may explain his rambling questions about Skull and Bones. Some people think this guy resisted and staged this. I don't feel bad for this idiot. He rushed a mic and went past what was expected decorum in a public setting. Its his own fault. All he had to do was be respectful but instead he chose to be an ass about it. He didn't have to resist. And the cops told him many times to comply or get tazed. He even asks them not to taze him and then continues to do the same thing the cops told him to stop or get tazed. Those actions he didn't stop were resisting arrest and disturbing the peace. And it didn't stop there either. Out side of the hall witnesses said this guy was still being an idiot and not giving the cops anything but a hard time.

What a douche

I agree. The guy was being a total nimrod. He was just rambling incoherently. And then when they came to take him away he was definitely resisting.
Sorry, I don't think the cops were out of line at all.

What "balls" was Kerry supposed to display? Go down and rush the cops himself? He'd have got the same if he had done this to Bush (except that Bush crowds are vetted much better) and I'd have the same reaction. Yawn.

quote Originally posted by Phranc: Resisting arrest. Its a crime. It was committed by this guy.

True, but police aren't supposed to respond to J-Walking with deadly force. The level of resistance should necessitate a Tazer before one is used. How many officers were on this guy and did they have control of him?

quote Originally posted by Phranc: And the cops told him many times to comply or get tazed. He even asks them not to taze him and then continues to do the same thing the cops told him to stop or get tazed.

See, here's the problem. Tazers are not PUNISHMENT. They are an alternative to lethal force to immobilize a suspect. It's like telling a suspect to be quiet or you'll shoot him in the face. There is no excuse for using a Tazer except when it's to subdue a suspect where you might otherwise have to resort to lethal force.

Cops are way too Tazer-happy. They act like because it's non-lethal they can just Taze people for the heck of it.

I would have tazered him just after the mike cut off....

I dunno about "resisting arrest" - he was NOT under arrest. he was tho resisting the officers, who were 100% there to take care of exactly the stupidity this guy was showing. he was probably just pissed cuz he voted for the first and only time in his life, and is shocked by it having been a waste of time, since everyone he knows voted just like him. he doesnt seem to realize there are many many more people in the USA than his little group of friends, who actually produce, and want to keep producing.

quote Originally posted by WhiteDevil88: What "balls" was Kerry supposed to display? Go down and rush the cops himself? He'd have got the same if he had done this to Bush (except that Bush crowds are vetted much better) and I'd have the same reaction. Yawn.

Don't be an idiot. All he had to do was let the officers know that it was OK- lucky for him the officers did his work for him. I've seen many public forums and something like this never happened to other outspoken participants. Ever witness or attend a local town meeting? Here's your hero...









I guess what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander...

Resisting arrest with violence? I watched the video twice but I still didn't see the part where he picked up chairs and starting beating the hell out of law enforcement. But he was obviously resisting arrest, but what were they arresting him for in the first place? He obviously wanted a show, and he got one. But I don't think a taser is necessary when you have 4 or 5 officers.

[This message has been edited by IEatRice (edited 09-18-2007).]

Not that much surprises me anymore in regards to statements made in this forum, but seriously, I’m shocked that any of you would find the treatment of this guy acceptable.

This appeared to be some kind of a meeting where people could step up the mic and ask questions. Within 30 seconds, yes 30 seconds(!), this fella was being told to step away from the mic. Why? Did someone not like the questions being asked? Is this what “open” discussion is all about now?

I don’t blame him for being pissed off. However, not many of us would have the guts to make a scene in public like he did. Not many of us believe in our convictions to this extent.

I find it fricken amazing that many of you love to refer to members of the public (usually with views opposing your own) as “sheeple”, yet here’s a guy who wanted to stand up and be heard and he’s still criticized and insulted. Do we only believe in “free speech” when it echos our own political beliefs?

And what’s with the use of the tazer? Is that really necessary when one guy, armed with nothing more than his mouth, is surrounded by at least half a dozen cops?

This is the kind of stuff we used to hear about happening in communist countries years ago during the "cold war". We used to think what a shame it was that people were treated in such a manner “over there”. Now it’s happening in our own backyards and apparently many of you feel it’s totally acceptable.

What the hell is happening to our society...

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Not that much surprises me anymore in regards to statements made in this forum, but seriously, I’m shocked that any of you would find the treatment of this guy acceptable. This appeared to be some kind of a meeting where people could step up the mic and ask questions. Within 30 seconds, yes 30 seconds(!), this fella was being told to step away from the mic. Why? Did someone not like the questions being asked? Is this what “open” discussion is all about now? I don’t blame him for being pissed off. However, not many of us would have the guts to make a scene in public like he did. Not many of us believe in our convictions to this extent. I find it fricken amazing that many of you love to refer to members of the public (usually with views opposing your own) as “sheeple”, yet here’s a guy who wanted to stand up and be heard and he’s still criticized and insulted. Do we only believe in “free speech” when it echos our own political beliefs? And what’s with the use of the tazer? Is that really necessary when one guy, armed with nothing more than his mouth, is surrounded by at least half a dozen cops? This is the kind of stuff we used to hear about happening in communist countries years ago during the "cold war". We used to think what a shame it was that people were treated in such a manner “over there”. Now it’s happening in our own backyards and apparently many of you feel it’s totally acceptable. What the hell is happening to our society...

quote Originally posted by Pyrthian:

I'll second that!

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Not that much surprises me anymore in regards to statements made in this forum, but seriously, I’m shocked that any of you would find the treatment of this guy acceptable. This appeared to be some kind of a meeting where people could step up the mic and ask questions. Within 30 seconds, yes 30 seconds(!), this fella was being told to step away from the mic. Why? Did someone not like the questions being asked? Is this what “open” discussion is all about now?

He mentioned "supression of the black vote" and the leadership in charge didn't want a controversial racial issue brought up.... my guess. - OR - usually the students are to submit the questions in advance to make sure they stick to the script so to speak... He probably deviated from his original question.

Now, as far as whether the question was inappropriate - don't know.

The problem was that he did not want to leave quietly. He was being escorted out when he tries to make a ruckus and throw a tantrum. THAT is why he deserved to be tazered. Had he just quietly left after the mic cut off, he would not have got tazered. But instead he starts pushing the cops, screaming, etc.... and I've seen enough "COPS" episodes to know how those people usually end up.

quote Originally posted by F-I-E-R-O: Don't be an idiot. All he had to do was let the officers know that it was OK- lucky for him the officers did his work for him. I've seen many public forums and something like this never happened to other outspoken participants. Ever witness or attend a local town meeting? Here's your hero...

As two officers take Meyer by the arms, Kerry, D-Mass., can be heard saying, "That's alright, let me answer his question."

I ask again, what should he have done beyond that? FYI, he's not my hero. Don't be a dick.

That kid is no martyr. He deserved what he got from the fuzz as far as I'm concerned.

My peers are weird.

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: He mentioned "supression of the black vote" and the leadership in charge didn't want a controversial racial issue brought up.... my guess. - OR - usually the students are to submit the questions in advance to make sure they stick to the script so to speak... He probably deviated from his original question.

He didn't even mention anything about the black vote yet and an officer was already there.

quote Originally posted by rwalley: He deserved what he got from the fuzz as far as I'm concerned.

So anyone asking legitimate questions, at an appropriate time, with out being vulgar or otherwise offensive, deserves to be tased and silenced? What was accomplished by the use of the taser? Was he still dragged out screaming?

[This message has been edited by IEatRice (edited 09-18-2007).]

I love how people act like all he did was ask questions. He cut in line and went over the allotted time with his rambling before asking a retarded question.he was gentaly escorted away from the mic by police and flew into a furry like a nut case at which point he was disburbing the peace and was placed under arrest which he resisted. After being told to comply or be tazed he continued to resist.

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: The problem was that he did not want to leave quietly. He was being escorted out when he tries to make a ruckus and throw a tantrum. THAT is why he deserved to be tazered. Had he just quietly left after the mic cut off, he would not have got tazered.

So anyone who doesn't wish "to leave quietly" deserves to be tasered?

Ryan, there are any number of articles about this, but perhaps it would be beneficial for you (and others) to do a google search for Death by Taser. I was originally going to post links, but I don't want to be accused by anyone (not necessarily you) of providing links to specific sites for "political" reasons. This is not about politics. This is about the growing problem of police choosing to use excessive, potentially deadly force by using a Taser when it isn't called for.

Subduing an aggressive criminal hyped up on drugs is one thing, subduing a law-abiding citizen who refuses to quietly step away from the mic is another. Or so I thought...

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Subduing an aggressive criminal hyped up on drugs is one thing, subduing a law-abiding citizen who refuses to quietly step away from the mic is another. Or so I thought...

You might have a point if resisting arrest wasn't a crime. Law abiding? Since when is breaking two laws law abiding?

quote Originally posted by Phranc: You might have a point if resisting arrest wasn't a crime. Law abiding? Since when is breaking two laws law abiding?

Resisting arrest? Do you know for a fact that he was being arrested and not just being "escorted" from the hall?

And what was the second of the two laws which was supposedly being broken?

So now you can be arrested for voicing your opinion? What the hell is this country coming to? Freedom of speech my ass.

The only bad attitude I saw was the guy who was tasered and I have no pity for the idiot. When the police came up to escort him out he should have just behaved himself. Of course, he had to tighten up and turn into a screaming idiot. Act like an animal and expect to be treated accordingly.

What a disturbing video. Whether you think the guy was being a moron or not, he was not acting violent until he rightfully felt threatened by the police hauling him away. I still am quite shocked that people are shown laughing as he is hauled away from the mic, and can be heard laughing as he screams while being tasered. Here we are trying to introduce democracy to the middle east, and at the same time we have politicians and "jack booted police thugs" (copyright Rayb) stiffling the freedoms of our own citizens. What an embarassment.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Phranc, there's plenty that could be debated in your posts, but let's keep it simple. Could you please supply some sort of evidence to back up your claims. Thanks.

Yes its called seeing much more of the video then is shown on the youtube clip. But it was on FOX news so it can't be real. Why don't you show some evidence I'm wrong. Or do you not know the whole story?

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Resisting arrest? Do you know for a fact that he was being arrested and not just being "escorted" from the hall? And what was the second of the two laws which was supposedly being broken?

You are kidding right? Have you even watched the video or are you just playing stupid. Disrupting the peace is a crime so is resisting arrest.

quote Originally posted by FieroMaster88: So now you can be arrested for voicing your opinion? What the hell is this country coming to? Freedom of speech my ass.

He wasn't arrested for voicing his opinion. And there is freedom of speech. There isn't however freedom to disturb the peace because you want to commandeer the mic then disturb the peace and resist arrest.

The moral of the story is dont question authority or this will be you.

If you have any questions, hold them until addressed by the news media outlets otherwise they arent important enough.

[This message has been edited by 84Bill (edited 09-18-2007).]

http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250

OK I watched the Video and my first thought was that the MOST important part of the vid was chopped out. It seemed he was
being briskly escorted out.....and the vid chops & he's already Tasered and on the floor. I can't make a determination on if he should have been tased or not. What else happened?????

His time on the mic was up. He asked more questions.
Kerry said he would like to hear the questions and answer them.
He should not have caused a scene. He might have been allowed to stay if he wasn't being so loud as to not let the authority's hear Kerry.
He is just an emotional kid. If you ever watched any hearing or even congress you would see nobody gets carried off when they over run their time especially when the questioned wants to respond.


I have been hit by a trainer tazer(about 30,000v) And it is pretty intense but his screaming was kind of weird. I couldn't even speak so I don't know what he was hit with.

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: His time on the mic was up. He asked more questions. Kerry said he would like to hear the questions and answer them. He should not have caused a scene. He might have been allowed to stay if he wasn't being so loud as to not let the authority's hear Kerry. He is just an emotional kid. If you ever watched any hearing or even congress you would see nobody gets carried off when they over run their time especially when the questioned wants to respond. I have been hit by a trainer tazer(about 30,000v) And it is pretty intense but his screaming was kind of weird. I couldn't even speak so I don't know what he was hit with.

I like his arrogant " He's been talking for two hours I can get 2 minuets." Ummm no dipshit you get 30 seconds. That and his "They're going to kill me!" at the end.


His screaming like a girl and instantly getting up with no problems makes me think he got hit with a weak jolt.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: So anyone who doesn't wish "to leave quietly" deserves to be tasered? Ryan, there are any number of articles about this, but perhaps it would be beneficial for you (and others) to do a google search for Death by Taser. I was originally going to post links, but I don't want to be accused by anyone (not necessarily you) of providing links to specific sites for "political" reasons. This is not about politics. This is about the growing problem of police choosing to use excessive, potentially deadly force by using a Taser when it isn't called for. Subduing an aggressive criminal hyped up on drugs is one thing, subduing a law-abiding citizen who refuses to quietly step away from the mic is another. Or so I thought...

Okay, let me play devils advocate.

Lets say he wasn't tasered. Instead, he is screaming bloody murder and kicking cops off him for 30 minutes. If you saw the video, there were 4 cops there, and they were having a hard time keeping him restrained. Restraint is necessary here in case he tries to do something stupid. Maybe he throws a book at someone. Maybe he punches a cop. (which would not be far off considering he pushed several on video!)

I realize tasers can be deadly. HOWEVER - he screamed no less than 2 times on the video "Don't taser me!" ... "Don't tase me bro!". He had ample warning, and I think anyone with a heart condition probably would not have been fighting the officers anyways...

PS - there is no FREEDOM at a school sanctioned event! They own you!

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 09-18-2007).]

No, he wasn't being arrested. But he was disobeying law enforecement orders. That in itself will get you tazed, especially when it involves physical resistance.
I'm surprised at the number of you that are surprised.

Lets also not forget it looked like this took place in a government school facility. Disobeying government law enforcement officers in a government building. Not a good match.

[This message has been edited by Rainman (edited 09-18-2007).]

Prodigy - Breathe comes to mind for some reason.

I love this video, gets a laugh out of me every time.

quote Originally posted by Rainman: No, he wasn't being arrested. But he was disobeying law enforecement orders. That in itself will get you tazed, especially when it involves physical resistance. I'm surprised at the number of you that are surprised. Lets also not forget it looked like this took place in a government school facility. Disobeying government law enforcement officers in a government building. Not a good match.

That's the problem. It's becoming too common for cops to just taser someone and then carry off their limp body than to subdue them physically. Tasers are considered a "less lethal alternative to firearms." Notice that says LESS LETHAL, not NON-lethal. I've searched to find what some police departements official protocol on taser use is, but I haven't found anything. However, it's my understanding that it's supposed to be used in cases where the officer would otherwise need to use lethal force to stop a suspect.

Was this guy resisting so much and posing such a danger to police and the public that it would have been warranted to kill him had a taser not been available? Or could they have just grabbed him by each arm and drug him out of the room?

I'd love to see Kerry get tazed.

I use my fathead for tarket practice.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: That's the problem. It's becoming too common for cops to just taser someone and then carry off their limp body than to subdue them physically. Tasers are considered a "less lethal alternative to firearms." Notice that says LESS LETHAL, not NON-lethal. I've searched to find what some police departements official protocol on taser use is, but I haven't found anything. However, it's my understanding that it's supposed to be used in cases where the officer would otherwise need to use lethal force to stop a suspect. Was this guy resisting so much and posing such a danger to police and the public that it would have been warranted to kill him had a taser not been available? Or could they have just grabbed him by each arm and drug him out of the room?

I think the protocol is " If you don't feel like arguing your absolute authority then just tazer em and book em."