Quote:Not sure I can agree with that.   If individuals start resisting arrest because they think they should not be arrested, they wind up in a whole heap of trouble, and the situation can escalate way beyond what you might expect, with additional charges and physical injuries. 

 

Besides, if we are all supposed to decide for ourselves whether we want to comply with the police, we are going down a slippery slope towards anarchy. 

 

And besides #2, do you really think the police have time to argue with you and explain why they are asking/telling you to do something?  

 

The best thing to do is go along with what the officer says, and call your lawyer when you get a chance, if you see a need to.  

 

Nothing is absolute and my response isn't meant to be taken as an absolute. There are levels of grievances and appropriate reactions. An officer gives you an unjust traffic citation for example, take the citation and way your chances in court and proceed if needed.

 

An officer unjustly enforces the polices such as NYC stop and frisk a direct violation of constitutional rights, I'd advocate non-compliance. Compliance for the sake of security is no different then sacrificing liberty for the sake of security, it's something I find extremely dangerous.

 

You can take it to the extremes to drive home the point, should Blacks in the south simply complied with unlawful and unconstitutional laws of oppression simply because they where told to? Had no one initiated non-compliance nothing would have changed, non-compliance is at the root of every social correction in our history. Non-compliance to unlawful, unconstitutional laws is as American as Baseball and Pie, it's who we are as a people. The day we start obeying every order simply because it is dictated on high from government is the day America dies.

 

it's up to each individual at what point non-compliance becomes necessary. However, making a blanket statement "comply and fight later" is wrong and something I thought needed to be addressed.

 

Know your rights, know the law, when given lawful orders obey them. When given unlawful orders weigh the sacrifice/reason and make a decision. I have my lines in the sand as does everyone.

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