You get hired for a job. While at work, you unfurl a flag with a political message. Sure, you are fired. You will likely be banned from your employer’s property. Did you commit a crime, though?
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That’s Odd
Twitter appears to be down this morning. It isn’t just me. Downdetector reports that it is not responding.
15 Comments
Beans · February 10, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Okay, here’s my take.
In a heavy security zone, especially since a president would be there, some rando jumped on stage with a flag. Totally unexpected. Made it on stage.
Um… yeah.
Or was this actually scripted? Was this allowed by the production company as a protest in front of Trump?
Not saying that there’s a conspiracy, but…
Robert · February 10, 2025 at 3:57 pm
No, it is not a crime. Not even a misdemeanor. There should be no fines or other criminal penalties attached to such actions.
The guy is still fired. And he should be fired. Don’t be “that guy”.
There are other jobs out there.
Joe Joe · February 10, 2025 at 4:29 pm
The Jacobin/Marxist faction of ZOG is having a fight with the Zionist wing?
Oh my, and Gaza is heating up with Trump saying they have no right to return and IDF is activated.
Recruiting offices are open.
Danny · February 10, 2025 at 6:16 pm
Ha ha ,,, DM, you’re having too much fun.
The employer always controls what you’ll be allowed to do while on their property and on their time clock. And don’t piss them off, especially if you’re a contractor.
At least, that’s been my experience.
Divemedic · February 10, 2025 at 7:49 pm
But your employer can’t toss you in jail for failing to follow company policy.
wojtek · February 10, 2025 at 7:25 pm
The article said the person “was detained” and “law enforcement is working to determine applicable charges in this incident.” Would that imply they arrested the person without the so-called “probable cause”?
Jonathan · February 10, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Quite possibly. If you question law enforcement, especially the FBI or Secret Service, they’ll tell you that they can detain you for up to 48 hours without charging you. I don’t know the laws or precedents behind the claim.
Divemedic · February 10, 2025 at 9:14 pm
Still need probable cause or at least RAS in order to detain you, charges or not.
Jonathan · February 10, 2025 at 11:58 pm
They are supposed to, yes. But I know of situations where it has been at least threatened without any basis. I’ve heard of worse but want more confirmation before citing it.
TCK · February 11, 2025 at 3:05 am
Correction, they need those things to LEGALLY detain you.
If you think any cop ever actually cares about that then you probably own a Blue Lives Matter flag.
wojtek · February 10, 2025 at 11:47 pm
Yes, police can hold an individual for 48 or 72 hours without charging you. But in order to do so they must be convinced that the person committed some offense. For this I would expect they should be able to name what offense that is that led them to the initial arrest. In the process they might think of additional charges. But the statement “working to determine applicable charges” sounds like none of the ones that they have currently is applicable. A good lawyer should get that guy out of prison in an instant.
Woody · February 11, 2025 at 12:07 am
NFL is a big business, that pays LEO to work the games and if they want charges brought the NOPD will cooperate. Not saying it’s right but sometimes the cost of going to court is the punishment.
Aesop · February 11, 2025 at 7:53 am
I’m sure the local authorities have the following crime on the books, or something very like it:
Any person who uses offensive words in a public place which are inherently likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than 90 days, a fine of not more than four hundred dollars ($400), or both such imprisonment and fine.
That’s the CA Penal code quotation of §415 for “Disturbing the peace“.
It’s a criminal misdemeanor in 50 states and 7 territories, when last I looked, and when included with other subsections, constitutes the legal Catch-22 for public fuckery.
And yes, it’s criminally arrestable, chargeable, and punishable, and arrests for it happen hundreds of times a day, nationwide.
The civil charges could run to millions of dollars, which was the whole point of picking an internationally televised venue.
Live by the PR stunt, die by the PR stunt.
I also wouldn’t like to bet the farm that such a stunt didn’t violate any number of federal criminal statutes as well, given the broadcast crosses state lines, and may constitute aiding and abetting a terroristic cause:
18 U.S. C. 2339B
Whoever knowingly provides material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both, and, if the death of any person results, shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life.
The cost of Superbowl air time advertising in 2025 was $266,666.67/per second. It’s a short trip from that to then make the case that constituted a massive financial contribution to Hamas, which the U.S. State Department designated a terrorist organization in 1997, during the term of President Clinton.
Anyone arguing to the contrary will need lawyers in federal court who charge similar rates, and ought to pack a lunch.
Feel free to argue that the display didn’t make it on-air, then follow up with the per-page advertising cost of getting the stunt placed in national print and online news, quoting their advertising space/rates.
And the minute the feds note that Hamas in Gaza, or the previous sharia law Sudanese government killed anyone, they have met the bar to make the penalty phase anything up to LWOP in federal prison, should they feel so inclined.
So yes, this was a criminal act, and the potential sentence is literally just shy of the death penalty.
This idiot deserves a FAFO Medal, regardless of how softly or harshly he is charged.
He absolutely played stupid games. He has no room for a not guilty plea unless he can prove insanity or gun-to-the-head coercion and duress.
All that’s under discussion now is how stupid a prize he’s awarded as a result.
QED
SoCoRuss · February 11, 2025 at 5:35 pm
The NFL is just mad because they are the only ones allowed to make political statements at their games which they do all the time and in all phases. Note the alleged Black National anthem that’s now not showed on tv broadcast but is done at games. How about the end racism statements painted into end zones. Funny how racism is SO terrible and a problem for millionaire BLACK players who do nothing but play a fucking rigged game. So to STOP evil racism for black football players should they all be Billionaires vs just paltry millionaires? Just saying.
Just like .GOV getting all mad because the Chinese apps like Tik Tock are data miners, .GOV hates competition. Only .GOV can spy on Americans.
Aesop · February 12, 2025 at 6:26 am
That’s like arguing that a homeowner is mad at a burglar because he’s the only one allowed to take personal items out of his own house.
Well, yes..yes, he is; so you’ve successfully made the case the NFL is clearly the justly aggrieved party, being the trespassed and deprived property owner in this instance.
Your follow-up alternative argument, that no one should be allowed to make political statements, including the owner of the venue and sport, only runs headfirst into the wee problem of the 1st Amendment.
I don’t think arguing that private property is wrong, or that free speech ought not exist, were the way you meant to make your case, but those are essentially your arguments. I’d humbly suggest a major re-think there, in both cases. Not least of which because your primary ally in agreeing with both of your points would be the Communist Party of China.
Just saying.
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