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Beats the Outline of a Body

Timothy Osmar was arrested in Orlando, Fla., for “writing or painting advertising matter on streets or sidewalks” in the city. Osmar was “advertising” such concepts as “Justice Equals Liberty” — he’s an “Occupy” protestor, and the slogans were written in chalk. Since it was his second arrest in a week on the charge, he was held without bond. “Has your child ever written in chalk on the sidewalk?” editorialized the Orlando Sentinel. “If so, little Joey or Janie is a criminal.” The paper urged that the mayor and police concentrate on real criminals, though “at least our city’s sidewalks are free of pastel slogans about freedom.” After Osmar sat in jail for 18 days, prosecutors dropped the charges and he was released. Then, as reporters watched and documented, he went to city hall and re-chalked the slogans on the sidewalk out front. (RC/Orlando Sentinel) ...Stupid Officials Equals Bad Publicity.
Original Publication Date: 05 February 2012
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 18.

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I believe humanity is held back by the lack of thinking. I provoke thought with examples of what happens when we don’t think, and when we do. This is True is my primary method: stories like this come out every week by email, and basic subscriptions are free. Click here for a subscribe form.


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