Dearborn Arrests: Unedited Video Footage

Several people have requested unedited video footage of our arrests in Dearborn, to see whether the claims of police and Mayor O'Reilly (e.g., that we we inciting a riot, that we were screaming at people, etc.) are true. The idea seems to be that, even though we obviously weren't committing any crimes in the videos we posted, perhaps we were causing a riot in between scenes. In case there are any doubters, here's unedited footage of our final twenty minutes at the festival. As you can see, nothing important happens apart from what we originally posted. (The footage begins several minutes after the "Roger Williams Incident," which you can view here. Police testified at our trial that we were arrested based on our behavior when they approached us, not based on Williams' complaint. You can see our behavior in the following video.)



How does this video footage line up with Dearborn's story?

Here's Mayor John O'Reilly's version of events:

On Friday, June 18, they behaved very differently than what you saw on film from Saturday, June 19. They were not handing out flyers but were aggressively engaging passers-by in confrontational debate when they were arrested and cited for Breach of the Peace and Failure to Obey the Lawful Order of a Police Officer.

. . .

At the time he was arrested on Friday, June 18, Mr. Wood had gathered a large crowd around him, blocking a key access point between the tents. The crowd was forced to grow bigger solely because people could not pass. Those who created this public danger did so with the knowledge that they were violating the laws because they wanted to be arrested while their cohorts were actively recording the event for posting on the web. They knew that they could inflame the passions of viewers who would be taken in by their misrepresentation of what was really going on. They have even found media that would put them on air to repeat these inaccurate representations without seeking information or the truth from others. (You can read Mayor O'Reilly's letter in its entirety here. Notice that, despite obvious and blatant falsehoods, the Mayor's letter continues to be put forward as fact by the City of Dearborn.)

The City of Dearborn posted its own version of events. Here's the relevant portion:

The police command center received a complaint, from a Christian volunteer working the festival, regarding members of Acts 17 Apologetics harassing and intimidating patrons of the festival and that a large crowd was gathering. Officers responded to the area where, in fact, a large agitated crowd had gathered due to the actions of the individuals of Acts 17 Apologetics.

Public safety became an issue for both members of Acts 17 Apologetics and the gathering crowd. The four (4) members of Acts 17 Apologetics chose to escalate their behavior, which appeared well-orchestrated and deliberate, and chose not to follow the directions being given to them by the responding officers. The behavior of these individuals drew and incited a large crowd to a point where they were in violation of City of Dearborn Misdemeanor Ordinances of Breach of Peace and Failure to Obey the Lawful Order of a Police Officer. They were arrested. Upon their arrest, the crowd dispersed without further action being needed. (The rest of the City's response can be read here. Notice again that the City of Dearborn continues to portray their blatant falsehoods as fact.)

Here's an excerpt from the police report (by Sergeant Jeffrey Mrowka):

As a result of Qureshi screaming into the crowd while uniformed officers were present and the fact that the crowd had increased in numbers and agitation, all three were handcuffed and escorted to the police command post in an attempt to gain control of the situation and avoid a possible riotous crowd.

. . .

Negeen Mayel, Nabeel Qureshi, David Wood and Paul Rezkalla’s actions caused a crowd to gather and become agitated. The weather conditions, hot and humid temperatures, fueled an already agitated crowd. This was evident by the crowd’s yelling profanities and repeated calls to security on the behavior of Mayel, Qureshi, Wood and Rezkalla. When uniformed officers were present Qureshi was yelling into the crowd further inciting the crowd.

Of course, people keep telling me that everything is fine in Dearborn, and that the city is thoroughly dedicated to upholding the U.S. Constitution. The facts say otherwise.

For a complete summary of the events in Dearborn, click here.