RENO, NV – Last Sunday Adam and Pete were arrested by the Denver Police Department based on false information provided to them by Invesco Field’s Alcohol Control employee(s). As the video showcases, the demeanor of the police was aggressive.
Here are three links to the raw footage shot that day:
- Adam’s raw footage (8min)
- Pete’s raw footage Part 1 (9min)
- Pete’s raw footage Part 2 (9min)
Below is a bullet point account of the days actions.
SUNDAY, AUG
UST 29th
- MARV arrived at Invesco Field just before 1pm (the game started at 6pm). Pete and Adam paid $60 for two parking spots in Lot C. Beer was put on ice and packets of literature from LOT advertisers were assembled.
- Three posters that read “FREE BEER HERE” were taped to the windshield/side of MARV. The beer was to be the hook to get tailgaters to stop by, contingent on them taking a packet of information.
- The LOT/Denver-based outreach crew were informed that they their signs violated the policies set by Invesco Field. Being advocates of property rights, the signs were taken down.
- The number of individuals doing outreach grew along with the number of tailgaters. People were really receptive.
- Some time later (5pm?) Two female stadium employees, one wearing and “Alcohol Control” vests, approached Adam on foot. They told him he could not use the word “free” when informing passerby’s of the beer. Adam asked if he could say “Would you like a beverage?” and was told that he could. In their presence Adam continued doing outreach via a megaphone with the approved tweaked pitch.
- Five minutes later the two female employees were joined by two male employees. They spoke amongst themselves a couple of parking spaces away.
- Adam engaged the group, offered them literature and pointed-out that he hadn’t been using the word “free”. He was told by one of the male employees that it was too late – the cops had already been called. One of the female employees stated that she called police because Adam had been mocking her.
- Fifteen minutes later three Denver PD cops arrived on the scene. They talked with the stadium employees for a few minutes then walked toward MARV. One of the cops saw that Pete was filming and informed his colleagues.
- One officer – Sgt. J. Pinder – approached Pete and immediately said “Give me your license.” Pete asked “Am I legally required to provide that?”
- Pinder said “You are when I ask for it.” Pete continued to question why he was expected to turn over his ID as he had not engaged in criminal activity nor was he suspect of a crime. Pinder told Pete “You didn’t ask me for my permission to film” to which Pete responded “You’re a government employee on the clock, you have no expectation of privacy.” J. Pinder told Pete he was legally required to provide his ID, which Pete then furnished.
- Another officer – C. Pinder – asked Adam for his license. Adam also asked “am I legally required to do so?” The cop responded “Yes.” Adam said “Could you show me the law (statue) that states that?” C. Pinder, said “I don’t have to give me your ID.” Which Adam replied, “Well that’s not enough. Am I suspected of a crime?” The cop asked “Are you gonna give me your ID or not?” to which Adam responded “Do I have to?” The cop grabbed Adam’s wrist and told him he was under arrest. Adam fell to his knees.
- Seeing Adam on his knees Pete asked if Adam was being detained. Pete took a step toward Adam to grab his camera from the ground, where C. Pinder had placed it. C. Pinder immediately took the camera and said “This is evidence.”
- J. Pinder asked Pete if he was a season permit holder (J. Pinder hinted that if so, he may have been violating some terms he had agreed to). Pete said no, that they had just paid for parking for the day. He was asked to provide the parking receipt so he entered MARV, grabbed them off the dash, returned to the front of MARV and gave them to J. Pinder. Pete was then asked by J. Pinder and one of his colleagues for the vehicle registration.
- Pete grabbed a folder from MARV, sat down outside, found the document and provided it to the cops.
- Adam was physically carried by two Denver cops to a nearby curb, then was transported to their facility in the stadium in a golf cart.
- J. Pinder told Pete to “secure” the vehicle – that he was going to accompany the police to their facility per the investigation. Pete entered MARV and started to lock the windows. J. Pinder banged on the door, which Pete had locked it upon entry. J. Pinder told Pete that he had “no right” to close and lock the door due to his status. Pete told J. Pinder he was going to walk to the back of MARV to lock those windows. J. Pinder started to enter MARV.
- Pete told J. Pinder that he did not consent to him being in the vehicle. J. Pinder followed him in nevertheless and said he (Pete) had no right to tell him not to enter.
- Upon exiting the vehicle J. Pinder told Pete to turn and face the RV. Pete was placed in handcuffs. Pete asked why he was being handcuffed. J. Pinder told him that he should have just complied to earlier requests for his ID. (Video of this exchange here, thanks Chuck)
- Pete walked to the police substation in the stadium with J. Pinder. It was 5:45pm.
- At one point when in the cell Pete was asked by J. Pinder for his telephone number. Pete asked if he was legally required to provide that information. J. Pinder told him that it would allow the court to get in touch with him were his charges dropped or any changes to dates made. Pete declined. As he was exiting J. Pinder said “Remember this when you’re being charged” (essentially he was saying that Pete was not doing anything wrong but that since he hadn’t provided more information it was going to negatively impact how he was dealt with).
- J. Pinder went into Adam and Pete’s cells, placed in their pockets a single-page “General Session Summons and Complaint” that listed their charges and said “You’ve been served.”
- Adam was charged with: 38-31 Interference, 38-32 Resistance and 38-89 Disturbing the Peace. Pete was charges with: 38-31 Interference, 38-31c Disobedience to lawful order and 38-89 Disturbing the Peace. Of these four different charges one – Disturbing the Peace – has an amount listed for a fine – $100 (plus a $10 “Bureau Cost” and $20 “Victim Assistance Surcharge”).
- Adam and Pete were told their cameras (and shotgun mics and C-clamps) were now “evidence”. The pair was released around 8:15pm. They were escorted back to MARV by four cops. By the time they arrived at MARV two of the cops had fallen back a bit. Adam and Pete asked the cops for their badge numbers and business cards. Only J. Pinder provided his card. The other cop present walked away. J. Pinder said “He’s not involved” and ordered the pair to leave or else they’d be cited for trespassing.
- That night Adam and Pete brainstormed on how to get back their camera equipment – vital for the success of LOT.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31st
- Based on information Adam had gathered the previous day from a number of phone calls, the pair learned they may be able to get their camera gear back by having the arresting officer or their supervisor sign a release for the property room.
- Adam and Pete drove to Denver PD District 4 – where Adam was told C. Pinder worked to see if he’d sign the release. They were told C. Pinder’s shift didn’t start until 9pm and that no one else could help them.
- Adam and Pete then drove to Denver PD HQ and explained the situation to the desk officer. They were initially told nothing could be done. Adam pressed the cop on the importance of the gear for LOT. A detective, also behind the desk stepped forward and directed Adam to another phone in the lobby to call the property room. Adam called, explained the situation. The detective instructed Adam to tell the property room folks that he’d call them from his office.
- The detective told Adam and Pete that they would be given their property back in 30 minutes. It was 10am.
- At 10:35am the detective told the pair that there was a holdup but they’d get their property soon.
- At 10:50am the detective told the pair that one of the cameras was through (apparently the footage on the cameras was being copied).
- At 11:20am Adam and Pete’s property was returned.
You guys rock! Handling yourselves at a higher standard than the man with the badge is the way we beat them at their own game. I don’t see how a judge can move forward with these charges their original claim was that you provided alcohol to people they could not verify ages however they do not have any evidence of that and failed to charge you with the related crime. Wish I could help out financially to ya’ll but been unemployed for over a year while dedicating my this past year to liberty! I smell a civil suit brewing…
Really inspirational from a “How to Deal With Cops” standpoint. Unfortunately, the fight against this “authority” is going to be a long one since they have the violence and theft monopoly in their favor.
Keystone cops Pinder and Pinder remind me of ads around here for attorneys Bender and Bender. “The Star-Spangled Banner”/national anthem doesn’t sit well with false arrest and police oppression in the videos. Little boxes and categories/pigeon holes are printed so conveniently into their charge/citation forms in expectation/preparation of such routine transgressions of their authority/victimless crimes. They could extract more fines by hosing everyone at checkpoints, toll booths, turnstyles, every contact with the public. They could be more open and simpler by printing and saying “We want maximum money like everyone else and as government, extortion/holding ransoms is what we do.” There was definitely a hold up in this case. When one bit of the gov’t's property is taken, instead of patiently waiting, hoping and asking nicely, they dish out gang intimidation and threats or violence. Same to worse response when they’re disrespected, much less physically endangered or harmed. We The People have the potential and solution: enough citizens (strength in numbers) to boycott governmental services and political processes, deny taxes, dispose of and fight the system.
Sad, those cops performed very well and correctly. Pathetic people label these people as terrors to society.
Pyotr, what are you on? The cops behaved like ‘holes. They arrested them for ASKING QUESTIONS! This is worse than “contempt of cop.”
Adam & Pete, I’m going to try to contact you guys to see if there’s anything you’d like me to do here in Colorado with regard to this, in your absence. Sorry you had to deal with the BS, guys.
Thanks for the feedback y’all.
Bigger, appreciate it. Best of luck finding a gig you like. Maybe it’s time to make the move to the ‘shire (http://freekeene.com)?
AJ and Kinley – totally agree.
What’s the frequency – if you have the time/interest to help share this link with folks that’d be great.
Politeness and cooperation (to a point) both get you into trouble and help your cause at the same time. Good for you.
It is tragic that peaceful people cannot interact in this world without self appointed thugs demanding your obedience to whatever whim they come up with and the seeking of their permission.
And there are plenty of black robed pirates sworn to solely protect your Rights who will back up the King’s men and sleep well at night while you rot in their dungeons. Plenty.
Were the “Liberty on Tour” guys asking for IDs when they were passing out beer? Had they gained written approval, from the Denver Broncos, to solicit? Does the property, or agents of, have the right compel people on their property to obey by their rules? If someone fails to comply with a property owner’s wishes, does that owner have the right to have to police respond to protect their property rights? Do the police have the right to identify a person that has done any of the above? If the property own wanted the “Liberty on Tour” guys trespassed, and never to return, would that make a difference in whether or not identification should be provides (after all how can you trespass someone if you don’t know who they are?)….
Was this a setup to entice a confrontation with law enforcement (notice the guy wearing the shirt at the 10 sec mark)?
Invesco Field Rules
http://www.invescofieldatmilehigh.com/resources/pdf/2010_Parking_Rules_and_Regulations.pdf
Interesting, if you going to catch coppers doing wrong, it kinda helps if one isn’t doing wrong themselves.
The older prick, who even looks like a pig really loses it at one point there, eh?
His kids must be so into drugs it’s not even funny.
The first mistake was purchasing tickets at Invesco Field. I know this sounds elitist, but people at football games aren’t exactly the most evolved life forms. I would recommend aiming a little higher next time and not spending valuable resources on beer and corporate entertainment. Just my two cents. I could be wrong. Keep up the good work!
Great job guys! What a perfect example of how the ones who are supposed to follow the law, do whatever the HELL they want to run over and destroy peaceful people’s lives.
No doubt the Denver PD and that pig Pinder are perfect examples of plain and ignorant thuggery. Truly Appalling and extremely dishonest.
LOT, Thanks for helping Wake People Up to the fact that the majority of what Pigs do – would be CRIMINAL in a Free and Honest Society.
At least your property was returned in working order.
This was a total setup to attempt to draw these officers into a confrontation. YOU were breaking the law…trafficking in alcohol beverages without a valid and in force liquor license is a CRIME. See Section 12-47-901(1)(g), C.R.S. With that in mind, you were committing a CRIME. Therefore, the officer was well within his rights to approach you and demand identification. He also has the right to detain you and “frisk you” for weapons under Terry v. Ohio. Failure to comply with an officer during a lawful questioning, detention, or arrest is also a CRIME. The courts have ruled time and time again that even if a citizen absolutely believes that he is being unlawfully detained by police it does NOT give the citizen the right to resist that arrest or detention.
As for your vehicle, since you were LEGALLY being questioned and/or detained by police, they have the right to follow you and protect themselves from any possible threats. How did these officers know if you had weapons inside the vehicle. The officer’s safety will always be of paramount importance in dealing with such situations in the eyes of the courts. As for the video, the officers knew that your equipment was capturing video evidence of your CRIME and therefore were absolutely within their province to seize that evidence of the CRIME.
If you are going to profess wrongful arrest, you just might want to do your research before making these inflated statements. These officers were completely acting within the bounds of the law. And, frankly, they gave you a great deal of respect. They should have taken you into custody LONG before they did and they would have been warranted in using any and all necessary force against you to effect that arrest. I would consider yourself blessed that these officers showed such great levels of restraint.
OMG, that stuff is way too funny. I need to share this.
@NoCoBigDog, you cited Section 12-47-901(1)(g), C.R.S., which states: “To manufacture, sell, or possess for sale any alcohol beverage unless licensed to do so as provided by this article or article 46 or 48 of this title and unless all licenses required are in full force and effect.”
I believe they said they were giving it away not selling it.
It’s possible they could have been in violation of (a.5)(I): “(a.5)(I) To sell, serve, give away, dispose of, exchange, or deliver or permit the sale, serving, giving, or procuring of any alcohol beverage to or for any person under the age of twenty-one years.”
But then the police would have the burden of proof that anyone they gave it to was under 21.
http://bit.ly/fKwUAX
And as to: “They should have taken you into custody LONG before they did and they would have been warranted in using any and all necessary force against you to effect that arrest. I would consider yourself blessed that these officers showed such great levels of restraint.” … LOL spoken like a true fascist.
P.S. Whether it “was a total setup to attempt to draw these officers into a confrontation” is irrelevant.
@CRC- Yes, I cited Section 12-47-901 (1)(g), C.R.S. and your legal research is correct. The flaw is that you need to look up the statutory definition of “sale” or “sell” contained within the Colorado Liquor and Beer Code. Paraphrasing, it says to barter, traffic in, offer for consideration. Well, it is my understanding that this “free” beer came with the literature that was being handed out. The “consideration” here is that if you did not listen to the pitch or take the material, you were not given free beer. There is always a connection between the “free” beer and what you have to do to get it.
And I guess that anyone that breaks the law and then does not want to suffer their consequences always calls the enforcement of those laws “fascist”. Things that make you go hmmmm.
I truly wish I had so much time on my hands to travel around the country in a little yellow submarine and video officers doing their jobs. Yes, I agree there are bad situations that occur and Denver PD has had their share….but come on….really? Every police action is fascist and unwarranted? Delusion much?
Well, it appears that Adam and Pete were SO VERY convinced that they were right….that they decided to fail to appear for any of their assigned court dates in the City and County of Denver. Now, they have warrants out for their arrest. Hope that someone sees their little yellow submarine driving around so that it can be stopped and Adam and Pete can go to the Denver Jail for a little stay.
If you are going to stand for something, follow it through to the end, don’t just start a fire and then let it burn as you walk away. Showing their true colors of the cowards you truly are!