Smile for the Birdy!

Much has been made in recent days about President Trump's visit to the St. John's Church National Monument on the evening of Monday June 1st following his speech from the White House Rose Garden. Below is a quote from the US Park Police regarding that department's actions that same evening (quoted in full):

"The United States Park Police (USPP) is committed to the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights. However, this past weekend’s demonstrations at Lafayette Park and across the National Mall included activities that were not part of a peaceful protest, which resulted in injuries to USPP officers in the line of duty, the destruction of public property and the defacing of memorials and monuments. During four days of demonstrations, 51 members of the USPP were injured; of those, 11 were transported to the hospital and released and three were admitted.

Multiple agencies assisted the USPP in responding to and quelling the acts of destruction and violence over the course of the weekend in order to protect citizens and property.

On Monday, June 1, the USPP worked with the United States Secret Service to have temporary fencing installed inside Lafayette Park. At approximately 6:33 pm, violent protestors on H Street NW began throwing projectiles including bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids. The protestors also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior. Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police, and officers found caches of glass bottles, baseball bats and metal poles hidden along the street.

To curtail the violence that was underway, the USPP, following established policy, issued three warnings over a loudspeaker to alert demonstrators on H Street to evacuate the area. Horse mounted patrol, Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area. As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls. No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park. Subsequently, the fence was installed.

Throughout the demonstrations, the USPP has not made any arrests. The USPP will always support peaceful assembly but cannot tolerate violence to citizens or officers or damage to our nation’s resources that we are entrusted to protect."

As you can read for yourself, the Park Police discovered a cache of weapons while installing a temporary fence in Lafayette Park, and were subsequently attacked by "protestors". "At approximately 6:33 pm" Park Police began clearing Lafayette Park in response to rioters attacking them.

Was this action by US Park Police unlawful, or only just undesirable? These are questions that US courts are designed to determine answers to. Anyone lying about the events cited above (which would seem to be just about everybody "reporting" or commenting on them heretofore) would do well to stop undermining their efforts at influencing public opinion, and simply do so by reporting on actual events instead of fantasy ravings. Tired of the #fakenews hashtag? There's a simple fix. Simple, not easy* * No, I was never a SEAL, but I can read like one. :).

NPS.GOV

Statement from United States Park Police acting Chief Gregory T. Monahan about the actions taken over the weekend to protect life and property - United States Park Police (U.S. National Park Service)

The United States Park Police (USPP) is committed to the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights. However, this past weekend’s demonstrations at Lafayette Park and across the National Mall included activities that were not part of a peaceful protest, which resulted in injuries to USPP office...