DEALING WITH PROVACATEURS & CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR:

Follow on from: http://www.believeinamerica.com/funeral-protest-fight-against-westboro-b...

There are lessons in this story that are generally applicable whenever anyone tries to intentionally disrupt a group and provoke violence. One of those little video cameras is your best weapon. AND Immediately call police. Take a video of the provocation. Have someone of substance, perhaps a grandmotherly school teacher type, ask the offenders, in a friendly tone of voice, "Hey neighbor, what's your name? I am ______ ." All while the video is running.
If the humanity+ approach does not quench hostilities immediately, state the date time and place and the camera person’s name on video, while withdrawing in formation. If the police do not personally witness the 'disorderly conduct' immediately show them the video while the offenders are in view of the police. then ask that the offenders be arrested for your states equivalent of:

“Code of Virginia §18.2-415. Disorderly conduct in public places.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with the intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he:
A. In any street, highway, public building, or while in or on a public conveyance, or public place engages in conduct having a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person or persons at whom, individually, such conduct is directed; or
B. Willfully or being intoxicated, whether willfully or not, and whether such intoxication results from self-administered alcohol or other drug of whatever nature, disrupts any funeral, memorial service, or meeting of the governing body of any political subdivision of this Commonwealth or a division or agency thereof, or of any school, literary society or place of religious worship, if the disruption (i) prevents or interferes with the orderly conduct of the funeral, memorial service, or meeting or (ii) has a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person or persons at whom, individually, the disruption is directed; or “ . . .

Conviction should be straight forward and conducted at state expense. Any civil remedy thereafter is on much stronger ground as the defendant’s culpability is already established by the court's record.

Also a bit of humanity+ can sometimes heals even the most sorry perps - No problem and a possible friend is better that a court conviction and judgment of liability most of the time.

Note that, at least in Virginia, if your organization is defined as having ANY educational purpose its articles of incorporation, bylaws or resolutions should specifically identify the organization as a “literary society”.

Also have a non-violence training for all that will accompany your group. All should explicitly sign on to a rules-of-conduct covenant with each other. The video camera routine is useful if any provocateur enters your midst by this route. Internal misconduct remedy should be declared in the covenant. It will avoid problems.

Also, for your own protection and the security of your objectives, require that all other groups with which you associate and coalition be diligent in adopting and implementing a like covenant. Thoroughness in this regard will encourage participation and strength in both numbers and unity.

With respect to DC events DC law should be known. At least see DC ST § 22-1307, DC ST § 22-1301, & DC ST § 5-115.05; Be aware that particular policemen may have a partisan agenda, so do not rely too much on any fallible human’s honor. In addition to any required permits (§ 5-331.03) It would not hurt to establish rapport, in advance, with the DC police person who is your contact referred to you by higher authority. Reveal your diligence as good citizens, ask for advice, do it in writing.

Russell Patton Davis designer of “The US CONSTITUTION APPLIED: Tools for getting it done TODAY” with draft at http://TeaPartyConstitutionalists.ning.com/

Non-Violence, Provocateurs, “Disorderly Conduct”