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Police put kibosh on disguised tea party protester

The Tax Day Tea Party in downtown Greensboro ran smoothly Thursday. Everyone sang the patriotic staple “God Bless the U.S.A.,” kids got their faces painted and the parched drank their Liber-Tea.

Well, there was one tiny glitch.

A man dressed in all black and a hood or mask came to the side of the stage by the old county courthouse while a person spoke and held up a sign reading, “Prosperity = White Supremacy.”

The crowd didn’t fancy the man’s sign and cast a round of boos in his direction. Pretty soon, three Greensboro police officers escorted the man away from the protest.

According to arrest reports, Daniel Emerson Stainkamp, 22, of 1602 West End Place in Greensboro was charged with wearing a mask or hood on public property, resisting a public officer, carrying a sign larger than allowed by a local ordinance, and interfering with the protest.

He was released from custody on a written promise to appear in court in May.

UPDATE:

Here are the city ordinances cited in the arrest report (Chapter 26, Article VI):

Sec. 26-162. Signs.

No hand-carried signs or poster transported in such parade shall be of greater density than eight-ply .030-inch thickness cardboard. No support for such sign or poster shall be of a metallic substance nor thicker than one (1) by three-fourths inches.

(Code 1961, § 12-90(e)(2))

Sec. 26-163. Interference.

No person shall unreasonably hamper, obstruct, impede or interfere with any parade assembly or with any person, vehicle, or animal participating or used in a parade.

(Code 1961, § 12-90(e)(6))

These ordinances were listed under Article VI. Parades in Chapter 26: Streets and Sidewalks of the local ordinances detailed online.

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Permalink

Posted by Dioni L. Wise on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 10:50 pm

Accompanying Photos

Nelson Kepley

Photo Caption: Greensboro police estimated 2,000 people attended Tax Day Tea Party at Phill G. McDonald Plaza in downtown Greensboro in April.

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left-wing conspiracy theorist

April 16, 2010 - 3:22 am EDT

I was right behind this guy as he was assaulted by some nutjob who yelled "We have an instigator!" This same nutjob also saw my sign but since I am about 6'1", 270lbs, broad-shouldered and barrel-chested, I must not have been 'instigating', nor was I 'interfering with a protest', apparently. My sign was 6 square feet, but I wasn't ticketed, I am not even sure what the ordinance says regarding protest signs. I find it quite ironic that Mr. Stainkemp was cited for wearing a hood on public property while engaging in his one-man protest against against white supremacy.

overtaxed

April 16, 2010 - 7:23 am EDT

Leftwing I see why you are left wing nut job, it's because you eat to much guvmint chesse.

BTW, at 6'1 and 270 lbs you're not barrel chested you are a fat ass

left-wing conspiracy theorist

April 16, 2010 - 7:31 am EDT

Being from Wisconsin, I am no stranger to cheese. Now as far as your childish name calling, allow me to elevate the conversation: I know you are but what am I?

LAnne_in_NC

April 16, 2010 - 8:13 am EDT

I'm sorry - I saw Mr. Stainkemp and his sign - but not you and yours. Guess you were just not that impressive!

sandsham

April 16, 2010 - 11:52 am EDT

From my vantage point on the steps in front of the stage - admittedly not a good one to see or hear everything that happened - I was dismayed to see someone in the crowd jump up and pull this kid’s sign down. Voltaire is said to have made the following comment: “While I disagree with what you say, I will fight to the death for your right to say it”. I don’t know if words (or anything else) were exchanged, but he did have a right to his opinion, no matter how idiotic it was. I believe that those of us who truly believe in the principles of the tea party movement completely embrace the words of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and in doing so, we must guard against becoming like the main-stream media and the liberal left who try to vilify us by calling us racist hate-mongers who don’t have a right to our opinions. We cannot play into that unfair and untrue stereo-type by showing ourselves to be intolerant of the views of others. All we really want is to be left alone to do the right things; support our families, pay a fair share of taxes, worship in any way we choose and be allowed to pursue life, liberty and happiness without government entities dictating our every move and robbing us blind. Now, two of MY favorite philosophers, not normally mentioned in the same sentence: Thomas Jefferson and Bumper Stickers…Political Dissent is NOT Racism (bumper sticker;-) …. “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty” (Thomas Jefferson).

northoftheboro

April 16, 2010 - 7:01 am EDT

Once again, some leftists cannot tolerate a protest or dissent from an opposing point-of-view, even with an orderly anti-Tea Party counter-protest being held nearby. Well, it was common knowledge that such bigots were going to try to interfere with such peaceful, constitutionally-protected demonstrations on April 15th, so this comes as no surprise...typical left-wing, Stalinist tactic.

left-wing conspiracy theorist

April 16, 2010 - 7:27 am EDT

Mr. Stainkemp was just standing there holding his sign. He didn't shout anyone down, nor did he impede the Tea Party people from participating in their rally in any way. It was a Tea Party Nut Job who attacked the young man. Yet for all those who villify the likes of Mr. Stainkemp, I have heard none to discredit his message, which is generally speaking, much of this country's prosperity was built on the blood and sweat of those who aren't sharing in the nation's riches.

LAnne_in_NC

April 16, 2010 - 7:41 am EDT

Why should anyone who hasn't earned it be allowed to share in the prosperity of this country? That is the basic tenant of the American Dream - that anyone, with hard work and focus, can become anything they want, including earning as much money as they desire to earn. No where in the Consitution does it indicate that those of us who work hard for the things we have should have to "share and share alike" with those too lazy or stupid to make it on their own. Entitlements are socilaism - plain and simple. Either earn it, or do with out!

left-wing conspiracy theorist

April 16, 2010 - 11:07 pm EDT

Amen. You make my point far better than I ever could. Well done.

LAnne_in_NC

April 16, 2010 - 7:37 am EDT

Mr. Stainkemp was clearly there to disrupt an otherwise peaceful gathering of like-minded people. I was there, and saw a number of other protestors who were treated with the same respect they showed the Tea Partiers. It appeared there were 15 - 20 young people with signs with slogans such as "Teens Against Tea." These protestors sat calmly in the crowd and waved their posters without attempting to undermine the program or trying to create confrontation with others in attendance. Mr. Stainkemp's agenda was clearly to create anarchy - which was unsuccessful, thanks to the quick action of the Greensboro Police Department.

T_Schmidt

April 16, 2010 - 10:42 pm EDT

I was the kid who's sign was ripped at this rally, ironically just has the rally had just finished talking about freedoms, such as petition and assembly.

Here is what happend between me and the guy who ripped my sign.
*Tears sign out of hand*
Him: "Ya you like that, do you like that?"
Me: "Very mature, your a very mature man"
I repeat that a couple times, some people to my left were yelling at me, so I started to throw back some comments I heard
He read my sign for 30 seconds to a minute, and then tears it into four pieces.
Me: "Very mature, you're an 80 year-old man who just ripped a 17 year-olds sign. (He was more like 55-60 but I didn't feel like being nice)
Him: "Son, I am a veteran, and I fought in a war to protect you"
Me: "No, actually sir you fought for my freedoms, and you just impeded on my freedom to protest, so thank you."
He says nothing back, crowd starts to form, my friend was getting a religious break-down, and I noticed the cops.

I then shook his hand and said "Well I respect what you have done for our Country, so thank-you."
I then turned right and started talking to the cops

The End.

Btw, none of us were in any way associated with the protestor who got arrested.
If you want to ask me ANY questions at all then you can add me at: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=131487&id=100000610160890#!/profile.php?id=100000610160890&ref=profile

P.S. Thank you for the ONE man who came up to me afterwards and said what that guy did was wrong.