Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) hasn't spent much time in the Capitol this year as he seeks the GOP presidential nomination. But one of his rare appearances this week provided a pretty salty exchange with a fellow Republican.
During a meeting Thursday on immigration legislation, McCain and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) got into a shouting match when Cornyn started voicing concerns about the number of judicial appeals that illegal immigrants could receive, according to multiple sources — both Democrats and Republicans — who heard firsthand accounts of the exchange from lawmakers who were in the room.
McCain, a former Navy pilot, then used language more accustomed to sailors (not to mention the current vice president, who made news a few years back after a verbal encounter with Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont). "[Expletive] you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room," shouted McCain at Cornyn. McCain helped craft a bill in 2006 that passed the Senate but couldn't be compromised with a House bill that was much tougher on illegal immigrants.
They're just as funny on the national level, as they are on the local level.
The mighty storm that tore through the area Wednesday was officially declared a tornado in Bethel and Newtown.
Meteorologist Jeffrey Tongue of the National Weather Service said Friday that the tornado was spawned out of a cluster of storms that had already caused extensive damage in Ridgefield and Redding.
Tongue said the straight-line winds there reached between 60 and 80 mph. By the time the tornado had formed and was passing through Bethel and Newtown around 4 p.m., winds had increased to 90 mph.
"It was very localized," Tongue said. "It was about 100 yards wide and followed a path of about 5 miles. It stopped after the storms left Newtown."
A statement issued by the National Weather Service said that based on an evaluation of damage to trees and structures in the area, the tornado was tagged as an EF-1 on the enhanced Fujita Scale used by meteorologists to rate the intensity of tornadoes.
An EF-1 is classified as a "moderate tornado" and includes wind gusts ranging from 86 to 110 mph. Its strength packs the potential for overturning mobile homes and pushing moving cars off the road.
During the storm, homes were damaged, trees were uprooted and power lines were snapped, leaving more than 20,000 people in the Danbury area without power and dozens of roads closed.
The ordinance was proposed to help the city govern the kind of parades that arose spontaneously when Brazil won 2006 World Cup matches.
If one would just take a simple look at the first paragraph in the ordinance, you would CLEARLY see that the ordinance will IN NO WAY govern "the kind of parades that arose spontaneously" during the World Cup games yet, you did not state this in your article, thus the News-Times gives the impression ONCE AGAIN that this ordinance can be used against the events during the World Cup games of last year.
Furthermore...could you PLEASE explain this portion of your statement:
when Brazil won 2006 World Cup matches.
This is a clear attempt to paint the Brazilian population (a.k.a. those pesky illegal immigrants) with this ordinance, which is outrageous at least. If my memory serves me right, there were also many celebrations in the streets from those who rooted for Portugal, and Italy as for Brazil.
In any event, THIS SO-CALLED ORDINANCE CAN NOT BE USED AS A TOOL OF ENFORCEMENT AGAINST SPONTANEOUS CELEBRATIONS! You can not stop anyone from spontaneous celebrating...period.
Parade means any march, demonstration, procession or motorcade, which the parade permit applicant believes will consist of more than twenty-five (25) persons, animals, or vehicles or a combination therof upon the streets, sidewalks, parks or other public property owned by or under control of the City of Danbury, for a common purpose as a result of prior planning that interferes with the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic upon said streets, sidewalks, parks, or other public property
Spontaneous celebrations does not fall under "prior planning" and the members of the council are well aware of this because Assistant corporation council Ric Gottschalk, the council's parliamentarian has stated this to them several times including during the ad-hoc committee meetings.
Tom Saadi outlined all of this (including Gottschalk's statement to the ad-hoc committee and Common council) when he presented his amendment, (the video of which has been widely viewed on this site). In the coming days, I will present video footage from other meetings where the parade ordinance was discussed to back up Saadi's claim that EVERYONE on the council was properly informed that this ordinance WILL NOT ADDRESS SPONTANEOUS PARADES.
The News-Times has a responsibility to properly inform the public, especially on matters as critical as this where the will of the council was ignored by mayor who feels that he knows what best for Danbury over the opinion of the Legislative Branch of government in Danbury.
This is a serious matter, which requires serious attention...not misleading statements about the effectiveness of this ordinance against immigrants.
It's bad enough that the News-Times had better things to do than even ATTEND THE COMMON COUNCIL meeting when this well-known hot-button issue came up to a vote, at the very least, the News-Times have a responsibility to get the story right.
The Danbury area is still recovering from the storm that ripped through the area Wednesday afternoon.
Many places in the area is still without power with several readers still claiming that a tornado touched down in Newtown and Ridgefield. Most roads in the Danbury area are now cleared of debris and life is slowly getting back to normal.
Luckily, my power came back on a few moments ago, which gives me the ability to post the following video report on the clean-up efforts currently underway.
I've received a good deal of emails from readers who are sending their complaints to Comcast regarding the profane and indecent behavior of Tom Bennett and his co-hots on the "BigT's Talk & Variety Show."
From:XXXXXXXX@XXXXX.net To: Dave_King@cable.comcast.com CC: hatcityblog@yahoo.com Subject: BigT's Talk and Variety Show - Public Access Channel 23 Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 19:30:48 -0400
I would like to know what level of audit you perform on your local cable access programs. I believe if you tuned into this program periodically, you would see a very out of control individual who will walk down the path of racist and sexually explicit content to support his personal opinions on homo-sexuality and immigration.
I ask you to re-visit the broadcast aired on May 11th where Tom Bennett engaged in a conversation with a female (allegedly 15 years old) making crude remarks that I do not believe Comcast would knowingly approve.
Nobody argues with free speech. A show of this nature certainly can express personal opinion; however when you combine this with uneducated, ignorant personalities, then the content crosses the lines.
I would request that you take a hard look at …
A) What possible benefit this show is having both on a diverse community and for Comcast as a company?
B) What other changes can be implemented to ensure that the opinions broadcasted trough he public access outlet don't violate your agreement as they clearly did in this particular show?
In reviewing some of the verbiage from both your own policy as well as local access.com, it would appear that Comcast would be in a position to suspend this broadcast - if not terminate the contract altogether.
Comcast’s policy…
Section E: Program Content: numbers 3-5.
3. No libelous, slanderous or illegal material.
4. No obscene material, sexually explicit conduct, or material soliciting or promoting unlawful conduct.
http://www.accesschannel.com/ ( a site sponsored by Comcast)…
“Local governments are required to contract PEG work to city organizations or private non-profits and funding for these groups are often managed through the municipality. Franchise fees ultimately come from the local cable subscribers, paid to the city by the cable operator, and paid then to the PEG centers.”
Please let me know what if any agreement exists between Comcast and the City of Danbury . I am happy to also include the public service officials in this dialog.
Please keep sending letters to Comcast and request that they terminate Tom Bennett's contract. Your letters will make a difference as I'm receiving feedback from around the city and state.
We'll post your letters (privacy will be honored) and together, we can bring an end to offensive, profane, indecent programming on the PUBLIC's airwaves.
BREAKING NEWS: Bi-partisan senators reach agreement on immigration bill
Thursday, May 17, 2007 Time: 1:05 PM
Here's the quick details on the agreement as it happened minutes ago (1:00 PM) on MSNBC.
Republican and Democratic senators will have a press conference on the agreement (1:30 P.M. on C-SPAN3, Comcast Channel 105) where more details on the agreement will be released. I'll grab the video and post it as soon as possible.
HatCityBLOG EXCLUSIVE: Storm damage on Balmforth Ave.
Time: 9:52 AM
"The storm sounded like a train was coming towards my house"
Yesterday afternoon, a wave of powerful thunderstorms ripped through Western Connecticut and left portions of Danbury in darkness. Tearing down power lines and ripping trees out of the ground, the fast-moving afternoon storm created havoc for many commuters traveling on the roads, which are usually busy during that time on the day.
Thousands of residents in Danbury and the surrounding area were left in darkness with people in Newtown reporting a possible tornado (I don't know if that was confirmed at the time of this posting).
After leaving a meeting at City Hall, I witnessed the aftermath of one serious accident that occurred on Balmforth Avenue. As you'll see in the following video clip, the storm pulled a old tree and place it across the road, split a power line, which dropped on one truck while basically splitting another car in half.
(Note: the following footage is enhanced and portions blurry because due to darkness. Excuse my "oh my God" and "oh my goodness" comments but it was one hell of a scene to witness).
I have to thank the firefighters of Waterwitch Hose Co #7 for providing me details of the accident scene.
Democrats turn up the heat on parade ordinance...and dish out the red meat
Time: 3:53 PM
(Due to interest, this post has been bumped to the top)
Where was this level of emotion from the Democrats in 2005?
Lets just say that there were plenty of fireworks at last night's Democratic Town Committee monthly meeting regarding Mayor Boughton and his current administration. I arrived about a half an hour late but was just in time to be served a dish of red meat from several angry Democratic Common Council members.
... the main item on the last night's red meat menu was the latest developments in the parade ordinance political fiasco.
Leading the charge in the fight to stop the disinformation and deceit regarding the role of the ordinance is Democratic minority leader Tom Saadi. In an emotional report to the town committee, Saadi expressed his frustrations with Mayor Boughton as well as the mayor's administration, which after the comments from the council members in attendance, can be only be viewed as incompetent.
While we'll get into highlights from last night's emotional meeting at a later point, here's footage of the energized minority leader outlining his problems with the ordinance, and well as his views on the latest political moves from the Mayor's office.
I'll have more footage from last night's meeting posted later in the week.
From early 2006, you can now watch Democratic Town Committee Joe DaSilva's the first televised appearance after winning the top post. Item discussed included the BRT development, Mayor Boughton's stance on illegal immigration, the then disputed police contract, and improvements to schools.
Finally, as we approach the Memorial Day weekend, you can now check out all the sights and sounds from last years Memorial Day parade (NOTE: If you were in the parade and the footage on DVD, please email me and I'll get a copy sent to you).
As anyone can see and hear, it was a setup by ctblogger. Also I did not call her she called the show telling the screener she was over eighteen. No rules have been broken, all within guidelines and approved. There is a nob called on off they put them on TVs. Ctblogger thank you for our ratings have gone up 30%.
For those who haven't seen the encounter in question, please view the following clip.
So lets get this straight:
• I made a fifteen year old girl call BigT's show.
• The BigT(urd) show has a "screener" that asks callers for their age.
• According to Bennett, no rules were broken in his conversation when he made a sexually explicit remark.
• The ratings on the BigT's Talk & Variety show have somehow increased BY 30 PERCENT due to my coverage.
• It's the 15 year-old caller's fault that Bennett used a sexually explicit remark about lesbians couples.
1. Your so-called "screener" never ask for anyone age.
2. I don't have to "set" you up. You have no problem putting your foot in your mouth without my help.
3. She called the show yet it was YOU who used the term "eating" which is inappropriate at any age.
4. There is a contract which Comcast requires you to sign and you choose to ignore.
5. Comcast does not keep ratings.
6. Your disgusting.
PLEASE call Public Access coordinator Dave King, request that he enforce the rules and guidelines of public access, demand that Bennett's contract be terminated, and cancel The BigT's Talk & Variety show for repeated programming conduct violations.
Dave King, Head Public Access Coordinator: Phone: 203-792-1265 Email: Dave_King@cable.comcast.com
Candiann_Roswell: Public Access Coordinator: Phone: 203-792-1265 Email: Candiann_Roswell2@cable.comcast.com
When emailing, please cc: hatcityblog@yahoo.com so we can place your message of outrage on the blog (privacy will be honored).
Remember, PUBLIC access is the PUBLIC'S channel so let Comcast know that the public has had enough of Tom Bennett's profane, indecent, and disgusting language on the PUBLIC'S airwaves.
"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians ... the A.C.L.U., People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'"
-- Jerry Falwell, September 13th, 2001, on The 700 Club
With the Gov. Rell's budget in turmoil, was the early arrival of the city budget a wise move?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 Time: 4:40 PM
Remember back when Democratic State Rep. Bob Godfrey and Republican State Senator David Cappiello criticized Mayor Boughton for using Governor Rell's budget numbers when he rushed the city budget a month early?
For months, political leaders repeatedly warned the mayor not to use the Gov. Rell's early budget figures in the drafting of the city's budget. All the early warning signs indicated that the final budget would not look anything like what the governor proposed (and the mayor used in figuring out the city's budget).
Now, everything coming from Hartford indicated that Danbury will be doing quite a bit of budget adjusting over the next few months. Speaker of the House James Amann just released this press release, which clearly indicates what everyone knew from the start...that you can just throw the governor's budget (and her figures) in the toilet.
"I don't even know what the Governor's budget is anymore or what we are even negotiating. In just the past few months, she proposed, disposed, abandoned and reinvented her own budget. What will it be tomorrow?
At least she finally gets what we've been saying from day one, that her across the board tax increase makes no sense. The difference is that she now says there is no need for a tax increase, and Democrats have had a plan all along that gives tax relief to 90% of the taxpayers.
We have a big budget surplus and over a billion dollars in the reserve fund. Citizens are overtaxed and if the Governor isn't willing to join Democrats now to give tax cuts, then when?
On healthcare, the Governor says she has a plan 'to make monthly premiums affordable to even our poorest citizens.' That is a totally outrageous statement and proves just how out of touch this Governor is with reality."
Public criticism over Mayor Boughton stance on parade ordinance escalates
Time: 2:10 PM
The response from my coverage on the parade ordinance has been overwhelming. I've received praise from people on both sides of the political aisle who are outraged over the alarming amount of misinformation being spread from the Mayor's office regarding the effectiveness of the ordinance on spontaneous parades.
As I stated since the beginning of this blog, the main problem with Danbury is the lack of attention from the media on what's happening at City Hall and the political dishonesty surrounding this particular ordinance is a the last straw for many in Danbury. From what I can estimate, based on the feedback I've received, the video footage I provided has given people a new look at how Mayor Boughton runs the city. CLEAR MAJORITY of the criticism Mayor Boughton has received is based on the notion that HE knows what best for Danbury versus the Common Council that did not feel that it was an appropriate time to vote on the mayor's parade ordinance.
...again, this is why ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS SHOULD BE BROADCASTED ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CABLE CHANNEL.
As requested I'll provide a quick link to this video as quick access to all the coverage on this on-going political fiasco shortly. I'll also provide a poll where you can express your opinions on the ordinance.
HELP REMOVE THE BIGT'S TALK & VARIETY SHOW FROM CABLE: Would you allow an adult to talk to your daughter like this?
Monday, May 14, 2007 Time: 6:06 PM
Okay, here comes the main course.
The name of the walrus man in the photo is Tom Bennett and we at HatCityBLOG want him and his co-hosts' contracts with Comcast Local Access terminated for repeated violations of the rules and guidelines of public access.
For as long as I can remember, this individual (known to the YouTube community as BigT(urd)) has somehow been able to get away with using some of the most disgusting, indecent, profane, racist, homophobic language I've ever heard on the airwaves (those from Danbury know what I'm talking about).
Now with the advent of digital video, we have the power to expose the violations of the rules and regulations of Comcast public access by Bennett and his co-hosts and place pressure on Comcast to enforce their rules and IMMEDIATELY terminate Bennett's contract and everyone associated with the show and being an end to indecent programming on the public's airwaves.
THE EVIDENCE
What I'm going to do is work backwards from the most recent outrageous remark and go backwards to my earliest video footage of Bennett's show and document EVERY disgusting remark that has gone unchecked on his show. I'll also provide contact information on how to contact at Comcast and express your outrage as well as other organizations you can call on the state and national level (F.C.C.). For now, I don't want to wait any longer as Bennett's days as a talk show host HAS TO COME TO AN END as soon as possible.
Let's start things off with a video clip from last Friday's show where Bennett has a exchange with a 15 year-old girl over homosexuality. When you read the transcript and watch the video, ask yourself this question: Would you allow an adult to talk to your daughter like this?
Make note of Bennett's arrogance after it's revealed that the person he's talking to is a minor (WHICH IS PAINFULLY OBVIOUS TO ANYONE WITH HALF A BRAIN).
WARNING: the following exchange has explicit language
Tom Bennett: Why would you okay a girl...why would you okay another girl eating another girl or another girl sexing another girl? [...] How would you approve that?
15 year old caller: Excus... Bennett: How would you approve a man sucking another man's p-? How would you approve that? 15 year old caller: Excuse me, excused me, by the way I'm 15 so I appreciate that you don't say those things.
Bennett: Hey I have a doctor right here with me. I'm talking medical terms. I'm talking medical terms here. You called me, I didn't call you.
15 year old caller: That's not medical terms. Bennett: "penis" is not a medical term?
Bennett's arrogance in this clip alone should get him a phone call from the Danbury police department.
Not only does he NOT use medical terminology, he has the arrogance to get flippant with a minor who was offended with his choice of words (hmm...I don't remember the term "eating" being used as a medical term in my sex-ed class).
Now, if you're a father and you learned that an adult talked to your child using this language, what would you do?
Again, take a look at Comcast's own rules and guidelines regarding content on public access (note the section in bold).
Section E: Program Content: numbers 3-5.
3. No libelous, slanderous or illegal material.
4. No obscene material, sexually explicit conduct, or material soliciting or promoting unlawful conduct.
Trust me, I'm just scratching the surface here folks...
No matter what your views are, we can all agree that this person needs to be yanked off the air pronto and the sooner the better. PLEASE contact Comcast and tell them public access is not the place to use this type of language (note: It's important to know that this show comes on between the hours of 9-10 P.M.).
Dave King, Head Public Access Coordinator: Phone: 203-792-1265 Email: Dave_King@cable.comcast.com
Candiann_Roswell: Public Access Coordinator: Phone: 203-792-1265 Email: Candiann_Roswell2@cable.comcast.com
When emailing, please cc: hatcityblog@yahoo.com so we can place your message of outrage on our blog (privacy will be honored).
Help bring an end to this disgusting television show and remove this man and his associates from the airwaves.
Presidential candidate Chris Dodd has hired a traveling blogger to write and videoblog his campaign trips in real time. While candidates typically travel with a retinue of advisers, spokespersons and "body" aides, this may be the first traveling blogger in presidential campaign history.
The blogger, Matt Browner Hamlin, has written for websites such as The Huffington Post and Connecticut's MyLeftNutmeg, but this is his first campaign job. He was an active volunteer supporter of Ned Lamont, the Greenwich businessman whose netroots-powered campaign defeated Connecticut's other Senator, Joe Lieberman, in a primary last year. Browner Hamlin will join another Lamont enthusiast, Tim Tagaris, who runs Dodd's Internet strategy and previously worked for the Lamont Campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Dodd was impressed by innovation and impact of Internet activists in his state, and his campaign has experimented online more than most of his competitors. The official website already offers behind the scenes videos, like senior staff discussing the recent debate and shots of Dodd backstage at the Daily Show, and Browner Hamlin says he will provide enough video and blogging from the trail to make the campaign "transparent in real time." The Dodd Campaign also relaunched its website today and it is planning a large Internet ad buy.
I'm very happy to announce that I have been offered and accepted a position on Senator Chris Dodd's presidential campaign. I moved to Washington DC on Sunday and today is my first full day in Dodd HQ. From this point forward I will only be publishing my writing in an official capacity for the Dodd campaign on its blog and on progressive blog community sites around the net.
[...]
The question most of you are probably asking yourselves is "Why Chris Dodd?" I believe that America needs a leader who can solve the problems facing our country with poise and conviction. Thanks to the Bush administration's failures, our next president will enter office will little margin for error. I believe Chris Dodd is best person to fill this national need because he's already doing it. By standing up to the Bush administration and calling for an end to the Iraq War, by fighting to restore the US Constitution and the right of habeas corpus, by protecting Americans working families from predatory lending, by strongly opposing the nominations of John Bolton, Sam Fox, Porter Goss and Michael Hayden, by working to increase make college education affordable through Pell Grants, Senator Dodd has repeatedly lead through his actions. That's what America needs today - action, not rhetoric. That's why I'm going to work for Senator Dodd.
As an activist and I writer I have spent the last two and a half years blogging about the things I want Democratic politicians to do in service to America. In Chris Dodd, I find a man who has time and time again done the right thing without having to be asked. I deeply respect his active commitment to democratic ideals in a time when we've watched far too many politicians shirk their responsibilities to the American public. I look forward to helping him win the Democratic nomination and become the next President of the United States.
Although it pains me to see another great writer leave My Left Nutmeg, I'm happy that Senator Dodd hired Matt as he'll be a terrific asset to his internet team.
The debate regarding the parade ordinance continues...
The details surrounding Mayor Boughton's parade ordinance has been surrounded in controversy since day one and things are not getting any better.
The ordinance has been sold to the public as a means to control immigrants who spontaneously celebrated during the World Cup games of last year BUT the ordinance will WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON the spontaneous games and WILL have more far-reaching powers that goes beyond the original purpose of the ordinance.
During the May's common council meeting, Mayor Boughton pulled every political move out of his bag of tricks to ram his parade ordinance down the throats of the people. Acting as an individual who knows more about what's right for our city than the elected common council officials we voted into office to represent the interest of our community, twice Mayor Boughton stubbornly placed the will of the Common Council under the bus in order to force a vote on his "so-called" parade ordinance (this after the bi-partisan council majority voted two times either 1.) send the ordinance back to committee; or 2.) amend the ordinance a vote of 10-9.
For those who weren't able to see democracy get tossed out the window, here's video highlights of the debate. Pay particular attention to Democratic minority leader Tom Saadi as he carefully outlines the various problems with the ordinance, offers his amendment to fix the problems, the bi-partisan support Saadi receives from the hardened supporters of the ordinance, the bi-partisan approval from the majority of the council to 1.) send the ordinance back to committee; and 2.) approve Saadi's amendment, and the mayor stepping in and disregarding the will of the Legislative branch of Danbury.
For reference, here's the first TWO SENTENCES from city charter outlining the Mayor's powers in the common council (Section 3-2).
Section 3-2 PRESIDING OFFICER.
With the Mayor presiding, the Common Council shall meet at eight o’clock p.m. on the third Monday in November, 1977, for the purposes of organization, and biennially thereafter, and shall choose one of its members to be President of said Common Council. The Mayor shall preside over all meetings of the Common Council and shall have no vote except in the case of a tie.
PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT a former State Rep and three-term mayor who continues to to tell the public that his ordinance can be used as a tool against immigrants who spontaneously celebrate (although EVERYONE his own Corporation Council said THAT YOU CAN NOT MAKE A LAW THAT INHIBITS SPONTANEOUS CELEBRATIONS), somehow couldn't remember these FIRST TWO SENTENCES which clearly outlined what he can or can not do when it was clear that his ordinance was not going to pass "as-is."
After the meeting, the mayor acknowledges his mistake and offers that the entire ordinance come back for a vote in June. This is unacceptable simply because he shouldn't have voted in the first place and the bi-partisan majority made their point clear ON TWO OCCASIONS that the ordinance needs revision.
The Democratic caucus recently send a letter to Common Council President Joe Cavo demanding that the view of the majority of the Common Council be upheld and the parade ordinance be send back to committee for revision. The Democrats are correct on this. The will of the Legislative branch of Danbury must be upheld against those who want to hi-jack democracy. In no way should this ordinance be brought back towards the council for another vote as it will only give more time for those who want this ordinance to pass to place pressure on those Republicans who voted on the side of the Democrats.
TELL COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOE CAVO RESPECT THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL'S BI-PARTISAN VOTE AND SEND THE PARADE ORDINANCE BACK TO COMMITTEE FOR REIVEW.
Common Council President Joe Cavo: Email: j.cavo@ci.danbury.ct.us
When emailing President Cavo, please cc: HatCityBLOG at hatcityblog@yahoo.com and we'll post your message on the site (privacy will be upheld).
04.25.22 (RADIO): WSHU Latino group call on Connecticut lawmakers to open a Danbury charter school
06.03.22 (OP-ED): KUSHNER: "Career Academy ‘a great deal for Danbury"
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
Oh those funny Republicans...
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
