What happened?
I was rudely accosted, assaulted with battery, and tased at Minneapolis St Paul USA international airport by Airport Police, simply for choosing to leave the airport by bicycle. I had broken no laws. I use a bicycle as a significant part of my daily mode of travel. I have legally cycled to and from airports internationally including 3 of the 4 major London airports, with no problems. I was using my bicycle completely in accord with MN Statutes and Metropolitan Airport Commission Ordinances.
When did this happen?
Sept 7 2006, approx 6:10pm
Where did this happen?
On the Outbound Roadway (also called Glumack Drive), just east of the post office and west of the highway.
Who would have witnessed it?
Many people. It was full daylight, and in view of the "A" concourse. Anyone leaving the airport would have passed the scene of the incident. The extensive 800+ CCTV video camera system at the airport, fully updated since 9-11, must have recorded everything, and with multiple viewpoints.
What are the details?
I arrived on a flight from California, retrieved my folding bike and left Lindbergh Terminal. Legally riding on Outbound Road (same as Glumack Dr) a squad car pulled up alongside. The speed limit along the road is initially 15mph, eventually becoming 30mph (the same as residential Minneapolis). The Officer in the passenger seat began yelling at me ('what are you doing?' 'Get off the road' 'You're blocking traffic' etc) It was indistinguishable from what regular cyclists occasionally experience as road rage. I was not stopped in a normal way with siren and/or flashing lights for any kind of violation, but was being distractedly yelled at while traveling down the road. I slowed and pulled to the curb. The commanding officer jumped out and told me to get up 'on' the curb, or I would be maced and tased. I respectfully but very firmly protested the way I was being treated. I specifically said that I was happy to abide by whatever laws applied to the situation, but I did not have any idea why I was even stopped or what law I had broken. I was told 'you can't ride here'. I said that I knew of no signs, and asked where it was posted. I was vaguely told that there was a sign prohibiting bikes "back there", with a general wave in the direction of the Lindbergh terminal (there were in fact no such signs). When asked for the specifics, I was told 'I'm telling you you can't ride here' and was again threatened with mace and taser. At no time did I raise my voice, use profanity, or make any threatening gestures. I simply stood for my civil rights and asked questions. Twice, I specifically had to tell Officer Wingate, the commanding officer, that he was being rude to me. I did not acquiesce to the mistreatment. I asked questions regarding the legitimacy of my having been stopped at all. I asked to speak to Officer Wingate's supervisor. I questioned the overall tone of the interview for its belligerence. In spite of having done nothing other than speak out, I was threatened again with mace and taser. I was given a series of contradictory, unlawful, and increasingly unsafe and punitive orders clearly designed just to intimidate and humiliate, including being told " you're going to walk your bike back to the terminal and take public transit"- this, against lanes of oncoming traffic with no sidewalks, no pedestrians allowed, and dangerous blind, walled curves. When I protested the safety and legality of this I was bluntly told to get on my knees. When told I was 'wasting their time' I agreed that it was a waste of time for all of us. I actually wished them a good evening, 'hoping the rest of it goes better than this has gone', and noted that I was not being cited for any violation. I said I would take the side road as earlier ordered by Officer Wingate (the safest and most reasonable of the several contradictory orders given to me, though one-way going the wrong way), and took the initiative in closing what was an altogether illegitimate stop and interview. Officer Wingate's anger at this and perhaps embarrassment and sense of not having been able, through threats of violence, to force the upper hand in the situation then led to a series of spontaneous actions on his part that were an egregious escalation of police force and a clear violation of my person.
And then?
Immediately as I was leaving and without any warning whatsoever I was thrown off my bicycle onto the pavement. I sustained abrasion wounds to chin and arm. My helmet casing sustained a new crack, but otherwise prevented a direct blow to my head. My glasses were thrown off by the force of the impact and bounced several feet away. Officer Wingate moments later would smash them into the pavement with his boot. But first, I was jerked into an upright position, and Officer Wingate jumped to the side and ordered me tased by his officer in training. This, too, happened immediately and without any warning or choice whatsoever. I was then handcuffed, body searched, and luggage searched. Three additional squad cars soon arrived, including Officer Wingate's supervisor. However, my conversation with Sergeant Karsnia was abruptly cut short on the grounds that I had allegedly 'tried to take a swing' at Officer Wingate. I was handcuffed and transferred to Hennepin County Hospital, then to Hennepin County jail where I was held without charges and without bail.
What about the taser?
The gun shoots two darts into the body, penetrating up to 1/2 inch. It applies five seconds of 50,000 volts that attacks the central nervous system. One falls without muscular control, thus I struck the pavement for a second time without being able to check my fall. The pain is by all accounts excruciating. The use of this weapon can only be considered barbaric. Note that it is not considered by the police to be a non-lethal weapon. It is considered a less-lethal weapon because hundreds of deaths worldwide have been attributed to its use (see Amnesty International's statistics). A pre-existing medical condition could lead to death. Officer Wingate could not have had any knowledge of my medical history, yet risked the use of the weapon on me. To use this weapon for convenience and/or forced compliance in non-threatening situations is an astonishing abuse of authority, and is also specifically against the MN police policy for escalation of force. To use it simply out of anger is clear police brutality.
In your view, what factors caused the conflict?
There are probably many combined factors. It must be understood that from the onset that I was treated disrespectfully and as a second class citizen. My presence on the road, though absolutely legal, must have been an annoyance to Officer Wingate. I was clearly profiled simply for being a cyclist, a clear violation of civil rights. Officer Wingate, the officer primarily responsible for the incident, was comparatively inexperienced in years having taken his oath of office less than 2 3/4 years before. Officer Bryant (who played only a minor role in the incident, but was made to write the bulk of the police narratives) had taken his oath of office only 2 1/2 weeks before. Officer Wingate seemed to me to be demonstrating his prowess to the younger officer-in-training. I felt that I was being used as educational fodder- perhaps in how to intimidate and take quick control of a 'suspicious' person through threats of mace and taser. Also, perhaps to 'teach a lesson' and discourage travel by bicycle using the weight and threat of police authority.
As another factor, and as most air travelers can attest, the U.S. homeland security color-coded alert system has only created an absurd mania at airports with no specific or tangible benefits.
Despite many excellent officers doing difficult and taxing work, some officers and/or departments may feel a certain entitlement to take matters into their own hands, above and beyond the law. A possible example with the same MSP Airport police department just a few months before my incident:
70 year old Paul Casperson in the summer of 2006 recovered his bicycle, cut to pieces, from MSP Airport Police. There was no explanation given. As Mr. Casperson said in a Star Tribune interview 'Some people don't like bicycles or the people who ride them'.
MSP airport workers who are cyclists have also experienced harassment by MSP Airport Police.
Overall, I question what conversations have occurred within Airport Police to lead to such vindictive actions.
What does this case mean for civil rights and protections provided by the Bill of Rights?
Many, many things.
It is a matter of unfair profiling and discrimination of cyclists.
It has to do with the fair treatment of innocent civilians who have posed no threat. (By law, an officer must have probable cause to stop a person and detain them.)
It has to do with certain officers feeling entitled to take the law into their own hands, to create laws on the spot, and to introduce an unlawful escalation of force where none is warranted. Even worse, it has to do with the precedent of certain police departments supporting and concealing police misconduct using the criminal court system against innocent people.
It has to do with the Constitutional right to free unrestricted passage and equally easy access given to those who choose to travel by bicycle. (Are auto drivers stopped for driving under the speed limit? Or for causing traffic?)
Although I have no criminal history, I was put in jail without charges and without bail. I was ordered held without bail specifically "to prevent further criminal conduct". Bill Gates could not have written a check to get me out of jail.
The police narratives are clearly concocted. Review of the video evidence by Airport Police supervisors would show that there was no struggle or physical threat to the officers at any time.
I can also say from experience that the entire jail circumstance is one designed to intimidate and demean the individual human being. Circumstances within jail can easily impact one's morale. My booking into Hennepin County Jail itself took over eight hours, no doubt to assure that I would be held the maximum legal length of time.
How could this happen?
If this survives the test of law, it would be one case that justifies the mistreatment of anyone, simply for speaking out for their rights or disagreeing with a police officer.
I question the education of officers, a curriculum which takes very few months beyond an undergraduate degree, if even that.
I question the wisdom of MSP Airport Police Deptartment management in having a comparatively inexperienced officer training a new recruit.
I question overall, the preponderance of violence and the tacit acceptance of it in so many aspects of our society.
What are the charges?
It took the prosecution over a month to decide charges against me:
COUNT 1 Gross Misdemeanor, 'Obstructing Legal Process' by force or violence or threat thereof, maximum 1 year in prison
COUNT 2 'Obstrucing Legal Process' misdemeanor
COUNT 3 'Failure to comply with a lawful order', misdemeanor
COUNT 4, 'riding a bicycle opposite adjacent vehicle traffic', misdemeanor
COUNT 5, 'failure to obey official traffic control signal', misdemeanor
COUNT 6, 'Failure to travel in correct direction on one-way roadway', misdemeanor
None of the charges are true. An absurd case is being framed against me.
ALSO NOTE: none of the charges are for 'fleeing' or for taking the initiative in ending the interview. This was absolutely legal given my circumstances. Yet, the violent acts were apparently done to me because of this.
What is the photographic evidence against you?
This is also absurd and shows that Airport Police do not know, or are choosing not to acknowledge, the legal difference between a cyclist and a pedestrian. There are (9) police photographs total, taken the evening of the incident. Seven of the photos feature 'NO PED XING' signs. Needless to say, I was not a pedestrian. I was a cyclist. I was no more a pedestrian than the drivers of cars were pedestrians. MN Statutes 169.01 clearly defines a bicycle as a vehicle, and a pedestrian as someone afoot or in a wheelchair.
The remaining two photos are of an 'AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY' sign, buried in the middle of the airport at the transit hub, and not even visible from the Outbound road. All (9) sign photographs by the police are completely irrelevant to a cyclist leaving Lindbergh terminal. It is astonishing to me that in 8 months this case has not yet been dismissed simply for the absurdity of the evidence and the lack of probable cause.
What are the police claiming?
That I "struggled" while tased, that I "forcefully shrugged my shoulders", that I was 'resistent',
that I prevented a "take-down maneuver" by a trained officer. For the record, I weigh less than 140 pounds.
What motive is there for the police to frame a case against you?
Because of the unlawful violations against my person they must be concerned of a backlash civil rights lawsuit.
It is an embarrassing case for Airport Police because of the many absurdities in narrative and evidence, and the transgressions of officer behavoir. They will fight for a conviction of any kind rather than see this proceed further.
What about the video evidence?
Airport Police, in control of the CCTV system, have notified the prosecution that all video footage was ‘written over’ because I didn’t show up on any of it. Yet there is a margin note on the video request page 27 to ‘Burn 1800-1835’, representing the full time of the incident with substantial margins on either side (the entire incident only took 18 minutes by police records, from initial stop to leaving by ambulance.)
If evidence has been destroyed, I consider this a deliberate destruction of evidence.
Assuming a DVD was burned as ordered by Sergeant Karsnia #11, it must exist somewhere.
If an incident of this seriousness occurred, why would video evidence not be saved? If police allegations are true, it could only assist in the prosecution of a crime. For lawsuits it could only help protect officers from claims of mistreatment.
RE: requests for video footage, Airport Police have responded via the prosecution that:
"While the cameras at the airport record the outbound roadway, they do not record the periphery of that roadway such that none of the incident wherein Mr Orsak rode his bike or engaged in interactions with the officers was recorded. As a result, there was never any footage constituting evidence of the incident in the possession of the MSP Police Dept. As a result, the footage from that date and time, which did not contain evidence of the incident, was not saved but rather written over pursuant to the routine policies and procedures of the Metropolitan Airport Commission."
Is this plausible?
Note: The CCTV surveillance system was substantially upgraded after 9-11. Over 800 cameras of sophisticated pan/tilt/zoom technology are in daily use at MSP International Airport.
What about the new signs?
Four months after the incident, around Jan 5 2007, Airport Police, without the knowledge of the Metropolitan Airport Commission, installed (4) new signs prohibiting bicycles. I have extensive before/after photo and video documentation of this.
Tell us more about yourself-
I frequently use a folding Brompton bicycle in conjunction with air travel. I try at least to make my ground transport environmentally sensitive. On the day of this incident I was looking forward to getting off the plane, retrieving my bike, and taking a late afternoon ride through Fort Snelling state park on the way to see my granddaughter and family in St Paul.
Professionally I am currently a violinist playing principal with the Minnesota Opera and have performed for 30+ years in many independent projects. Vocationally I am also a dedicated visual artist and researcher. In the Twin Cities I have played with both the Minnesota Orchestra and the St Paul Chamber Orchestra and have collaborated with colleagues in many concerts with the self-directed chamber orchestra Philomusica. I have been a teacher to many hundreds of students here and abroad, and in Minnesota was once named a MacPhail Center Outstanding Teacher. I have been fortunate in my career to have worked with many great pedagogues, and with many outstanding performers and artists. I have met inspired people doing great work in countless areas. I have served on the board of directors of several non-profit arts organizations and assisted many others in their development. I take seriously the principles in the Bill of Rights and the fair treatment of individuals worldwide. I am a vegan and non-violent person and applaud and support many peaceful and progressive causes.
What happens next?
The next hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 25th at Hennepin County Courthouse.
Schedule updates will be posted here at www.greencycles.blogspot.com
I invite you to post your comments on this, even if brief, and invite all who are able to attend the trial. Together we can strive for positive change to arise from this ordeal.
With many thanks, and hope for the peaceful resolution of all such issues,
Stephan Orsak
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U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights Amendment IV:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights Amendment VIII:
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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382 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 382 Newer› Newest»This is a chilling tale. More so to those who know Stephan. I have worked with Stephan in various job situations (as a freelance classical musician) for years. Once, I was in a situation where I was very angry at him, to his face. He reacted calmly, reasonably and with courtesy. If police are allowed to go after people like Stephan, we are all greatly at risk.
Laurel Browne, viola player
if i weren't living under the current administration, i'd be able to voice my immediate reaction, "this is unbelievable!" as it is, we're all at risk of such treatment. this isn't some "unlucky immigrant" in NYC--this is HERE.
i'm assuming you'll be posting hearing time and details? you have a defense fund?
joanna shelton (violin)
I know police officers who are wonderful, responsible, and helpful citizens. But this is clearly law "enforcement" run amock and is a sign of something seriously broken in the system. We are all behind you, Stephan, in fighting this ridiculous case against you. May it be a wake up call to law enforcement officials and politicians that our laws and law-enforcers are in place to protect, not victimize all of us.
I recently moved in as Stephan's housemate two weeks ago, and am astonished at the claims made against him. He is a kind, and gentle person who I cannot imagine would ever instigate conflict or argument with any sort of verbal or physical violence. This is an opportunity to expose gross misconduct and profiling on behalf of the Minneapolis Police. I am only regretful that Stephan had to endure the costs of this mistreatment and must continue to dedicate so much time to righting this negative experience.
Anjuli Paroo, student
I have seen Stephan cycling in England last year and I could not believe the story when I was first told - as it is told in this pages. I am worried about the "cowboy" manners of the police; and wonder, whether is it enough to ride a bike now to be ATTACKED by, no criminals, but policemen?
I hope very much you will win this case, Stephan
Birgit from berlin
Though I've only known Stephan for a short while, I feel confident in saying his character is one of integrity and kindness. That any of these claims could be made against him seems utterly prepsterous.
However, as an individual who seeks to gather all information possible before reaching such a conclusion, I have thoroughly reviewed the information linked through this site, including all police evidence. I have found nothing substantiating the claims of the local law enforcement.
On the contrary, the picture that emerges is one of unnecessary physical, emotional, and mental harm inflicted upon an innocent US citizen at the hands of grossly irresponsible police officers.
I hope, through due process, that the guilty parties will be discerned and adequately disciplined on behalf of US citizens everwhere.
- Evan Snyder
Having spent my entire life with this man, him being my father, I am still at a loss of words as to why and how this could have happened. The idea of someone so innocent, so kind and gracious to all who surround him, so interested in making the world a better place.... I stand confused and hurt on behalf of my father. The trust and faith I have in the safety of this country is quickly questioned, and being a parent myself I begin to taste the fear that we are presented with on a daily basis. Where to go from here? I am left wondering. This is a story of pure injustice, one of hundreds and thousands to be told. Although there is much good the police do for us, one must be aware of the hidden and untold stories and events. Stories which are NOT posted to boast on the pages of the star tribune or pioneer press.
A few years ago, they were badly harrasing the Critical Mass riders using the same tactics. MN laws state a bicycle can be siezed, IF it is LOCKED up, not registered with the local government, a sign is posted on the bicycle, and the bicycle is not removed in 24 hours. They asked the CM riders if the bikes they were RIDING were registered, and if not they were siezed, almost all rider were ticketed. They lost on all accounts, but a huge hassle. But they did not learn thier lesson. I rode with them the following year.
Check Minnesota Law. You can be pretty sure the No Bicycle signs are illegal, as long as the business is open to the public. I will try to check tonight.
This is a terrible story. As a Minneapolis bike courier, I have been frequently harrassed by the police as well. In the worst instance, four officers were investigating a Northeast robbery. I was riding south on Monroe St at Spring St. after picking up a job from a client at Broadway and Jacksonm and was mistaken by the pursuing officers for "some black guy who robbed a house" (I'm white). Before I could say anything, one of the officers ran at me from his squad car pointing a taser at me. I said, "Is that a taser?" and the officer replied, "Yeah, and I've got a lot of other toys, too." I quickly explained that I was a courier picking up a package (which was sticking out of my bag), and that they clearly had the wrong person. They agreed that this was probably true, and they let me go. The whole incident probably took about forty-five seconds. Coworkers have been assaulted and jailed for riding on Nicollet Mall during the day (which is illegal for cyclists unless you're a courier and have a "mall pass"; they did). The charges were dor disorderly conduct (for cussing at the officers after being assaulted). I sincerely hope that your case is dismissed and that the officer is charged. This is truly disgusting. Not to mention all the non-bike-related incidents of Minneapolis Police brutality...
The bottom line is this: the police represent the power structure. The power structure cannot tolerate people being independant of oil. That would be indicative of a high level of personal autonomy that Big Business and their enforcers will never allow. We must be herded like sheep. We must use, via public transportation or personal transportation, fossil fuels. We must enrich our corporate masters. As someone who has commuted by bicycle every single working day since Jan 23 1986, I wish you well. While your travails exceed anything I have encountered, there have been times when I have "gotten away" only through what could be described as groveling behavior in front of the police. Sometimes, though, groveling gets old. Peace and Kindness to you!
Stephan,
I am angered and appalled by this action. Of course it is reflective of the current society and political climate we have today.
I hope you do continue to pursue this legally and challenge this. Ther can be very little doubt that you will win.
If there is anything that I can do to help, please contact me and let me know.
Oh and my son is a second Violinist in his school band and also a vegetarian.
I Remain Yours
Michael Cavlan
Candidate US Senate
I want this story to be spread far and wide. I will do my best to see that that happens.
Stephan,
I forwarded on your blog site to some local activists I know, and your story and blog site have now been posted on TC Indymedia. Please let them know if you would rather not have it posted there.
Also, are you working with Communities United Against Police Brutality?
Laila
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Thank you to all for your voices of support, thoughts and stories.
Thank you Laila, I welcome the Indymedia posting, and encourage more of the same. As to Communities United Against Police Brutality, I'm looking into that further and will have more to post, but what I've learned so far is not encouraging. It seems a very small percentage of cases result in police reprimand, and those are token at best. To answer a few other questions, thanks Johanna!- as to legal defense fund, I'm O.K. for now, it is costing me more time than money at the moment but I would not want a single dollar coming to me in lieu of another critical cause like famine relief, HIV, amnesty international, etc. But many thanks. Most of all what I need and we need now are the voices of support- these demonstrate to the decision makers how important this kind of thing is for all of us.
Please feel free to forward this poster:
http://homepage.mac.com/
stephanorsak/FileSharing3.html
Peace and good wishes,
Stephan
That such a thing would occur in the United States of America is depressing. I can't think of better evidence that even here there is always a rogue element intent on making our country into a police state. I wish you every success with your case and you might consider a civil lawsuit afterwards.
http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP&year=2006§ion=169&keyword_type=exact&keyword=bicycle#stat.169.30.0
169.305 CONTROLLED-ACCESS RULES AND PENALTIES.
Subdivision 1. Entrance and exit; crossover; use regulations; signs; rules.
(c) The commissioner of transportation may by order, and any public authority may by
ordinance, with respect to any controlled-access highway under their jurisdictions prohibit or
regulate the use of any such highway by pedestrians, BICYCLEs, or other nonmotorized traffic, or
by motorized BICYCLES, or by any class or kind of traffic which is found to be incompatible with
the normal and safe flow of traffic.
(NOTE: ON ANY OTHER KIND OF HIGHWAY THEY CANNOT BAN SLOW MOVING VEHICLES).
(Pedestrian Malls ban all kinds of vehicles.)
Due to a recent US Supreme Court Ruling, you cannot wait to file an unlawful arrest suit. The time to file begins with the date of the arrest, not from the settlement of any tickets or criminal charges. You need to file your lawsuit immediately, certainly before the statue of limitations expire.
Thanks, Mike- that is an important bit. The commissioner of transportation may do it by order, but by public authority it requires an ordinance. Here it is again:
MN Statutes 169.305 subd 1(c):
(c) The commissioner of transportation may by order, and any public authority may by ordinance, with respect to any controlled-access highway under their jurisdictions prohibit or regulate the use of any such highway by pedestrians, bicycles, or other nonmotorized traffic, or by motorized bicycles, or by any class or kind of traffic which is found to be incompatible with the normal and safe flow of traffic.
Interesting, here is the next paragraph in the same Statute:
(d) The commissioner of transportation or the public authority adopting any such prohibitory rules shall erect and maintain official signs on the controlled-access highway on which such rules are applicable and when so erected no person shall disobey the restrictions stated on such signs.
Clearly, appropriate signs are a requirement, and MAC has the right to request new signs prohibiting bikes (whether that is the best approach or not is another question). I have found nothing in the MAC ordinances prohibiting bikes. Another question is who exactly the 'commissioner of transportation' is under Airport authority, and whether it is legal for the police to post permanent signs on their own initiative. I was told at MAC that they must apply for permission to post temporary signs...
Thanks very much for the info on the Supreme Court ruling, that is news for me. I am currently waiting to hear back from the ACLU, and want to explore all options including possible class actions. Good luck in your campaign!
Hi dad~ I just can't believe how long this has been going on for, that you've spent the last 8 months focused on this case! I hope that everything will be cleared up very, very soon so that you may continue on again with your many artistic projects which have had to be put on hold! Wish i could be there to make you delicious little vegan treats while you're glued to the computer chair compiling your case presentation!
I put your blog up on mplsbikelove, a local bike community forum...
http://mplsbikelove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2634
You can check back and update the group. If you would like, I'm sure we could put together a good 50 bike riders to show up the the court house!
Keep it up and DON'T compromise!
So very sorry to hear about your misstreatment. Will be following your case. Best wishes, Logan
Good god this sucks. Sorry to hear about this. I will forward this around. Good luck with everything!
Do you have a defence fund that I can contribute to?
That is really awful and I hope he has a damned good civil rights lawyer. As well as the violation of civil rights by self important rental cops, I am very concerned as a fellow musician, of the potential physical damage to his hands and fingers.
I hope your brother gets justice and all will work out for him. I am particularly concerned over the "loss" of any video tape. That seems awfully suspicious in and of itself.
A vegetarian violinist on a bicycle--well, now I feel all safe and secure knowing the police are going after the most dangerous thugs among us.
I'm so happy that the cops are not wasting their time on all the carjackings, shootings, and beatings.
Seriously, Mr. Orsak, please please get the best lawyer you possibly can. You deserve some major compensation for that.
A quick websearch showed that officer wingate has had other problems with people.
Give it a shot.
While I agree that the cop was a pig, I don't see how one could get to the airport without going on one of freeways, which are clearly posted motorized traffic only.
Given the amount of traffic around the airport, I don't think it's a good idea to bike there. Next time take a cab.
As an aside, myself and about 40 neighbors were bullied and intimidated by the Park Board. Once you have to interface with "our government" you find out how fearful they are of losing control.
A June 1 poster says there's no non-freeway way to bike in/out: If it weren't for the making of the surface road to the post office one way, it would be possible to bike out towards the SuperAmerica and then past the cemetary, etc. A long way to go to avoid frewways.
In more progressive parts of the country, bikes are allowed on interstate shoulders in areas where no nearby uncontrolled roads offer safe passage.
More to the point, why is MSP so bike unfriendly? A lone cyclist is no security threat. What could possibly trigger such a police response? Code Orange, my ass. This was plain harrasment. And in front of a trainee, too. Yikes.
Overall, I am just sitting here going 'ohmigawd' at how horrifically you were treated.
So police state. So lacking in presumption of your right of lawful use.
I am really curious about the other post that indicated Office Wingate has had problems before? I'm no lawyer, but sounds like the Dep't could have cause for a cash settlement.
Hope you sue for infringement of your civil rights. Others here are right about getting a good lawyer/defense (offense?) fund!
Good luck!!! I'm sure more of us will be following this case now that Roadguy pointed out this nutty-ness.
The police discription of Stephan's reactions do not match up with the person I have known for years. For three years I was Stephan's art instructor and a have been a friend ever since. In that time I have only experianced a positive forward looking person who even in the most stressful of circumstances trys to logicly and thoughtfully question his way through to the best possible outcome. He is one of the most possitive individuals I know. I have friends who are police and I know they are expected to communicate clearly no matter the situation. I know Stephan, he would have reacted well to clear communication. Keep speaking out Stephan. I will do all I can to help you. Dale Redpath, painter and teacher
I am from South Pacific and came across Stephen Orsaks' story on your webb site; greencycles.blogsport.com. It makes me wonder if police are fare and just in their actions. I would fear for my life stepping outof any airport in US, after learning of polic brutality. I will post this webb page to friends in Pacific. Mr Officer Wingate is no doubt in my mind guilty of assult and should be reprimanded.
Full supporter of environmentally friendly transport system.
It is as easy as pie to get to the airport on a bike. Just go around Post Road if you are coming from Bloomington, Richfield or south, or go down the Ft. Snelling bike trail if you are coming from Minneapolis. Then just go to the P.0., and then stay on the sidewalk and through some bushes. I do it every day. And when going home? Stay on the sidewalk on the PO road, because it is one-way.
And one more thing: hide from police!
I have had awful experiences with Minneapolis Police, but not this awful, although I have certainly heard stories. I hope the best for you!
Damm when the COP say stop , you STOP. What part do you not understand?? THis could of been done with back in Sept of 06, if you would have leasoned to the Police. But since you ride a bike and i take it you are broke and this is your way to make some $$$$$.
It is unfortunate that your behavior has caused you to spur an angry rage against others that are simply trying to do their job to the best they can. As was reiterated before, you SHOULD NOT have been riding a bike on the roadway- as an "experienced cyclist
" that you are, you should have known better. If an officer tells you to "STOP", then STOP! If someone was disrespecting you trying to do your job, you'd get a little irritated too! The Airport Police are excellent officers- they deal with highly publicized situations with great tact. Learn your lesson, swallow your pride, and move on.
stephen an all of your supporters are gay...especially that congressman
michael cavlan remains yours;)
I read your story with great interest....and a bit of sympathy. As some others have posted, you should have simply obeyed the police officers commands. I realize that you may not be a fan of police officers. However, there is no reason why you should be above the law. Keep in mind that the police officers do not have any idea who you are. Yes, you may be on a bicycle. How are they to know that you do not have a gun tucked into a backpack or in a pocket? My uncle was a police officer for nearly twenty years before he was shot and killed by a man he stopped for littering. Yes, LITTERING. He saw a man toss a fastfood bag out of his window. When my uncle pulled him over, the man shot my uncle while he was approaching the car. My uncle died in the hospital that night.
I urge you to take a moment and relax. Put yourself in the police officer's shoes. Simply put, your behavior was ABNORMAL. It isn't normal for people to ride bicycles in high-traffic areas. Your abnormal behavior coupled with your failure to comply with their orders certainly sends up red flags.
I encourage you to be a responsible bicyclist. I bike to and from work on a daily basis (save for rainy or snowy days). Be kind and respectful of authority. FOLLOW THE LAWS. PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE, TOO!
A friend forwarded a link to your blog to me and I read it with much interest.
Thank you for your actions. Officer Bryant and Sergeant Karsnia were clearly out of line and should be held fully accountable for their transgressions.
I've provided a news link of your experience to Freedom's Phoenix at:
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com
I also wanted to thank you for the way you've decided to document the incident and the ongoing legal issues. I had my own run-in with out of control cops in December of 2002 at a suspicionless checkpoint in a remote part of Southwest Arizona. I've documented the entire encounter, including my legal defense and the subsequent/ongoing civil rights lawsuit, at:
http://www.checkpointusa.org
You may find some of the legal documentation useful.
I'd also recommend that you find out what State agency certifies the two officers who assaulted you and make sure their certifications are in order. Minnesota undoubtedly has an 'Open Records' law that you can use to procure copies of their certifications and training. In Arizona, the certifying board is called the 'Peace Officer Standards and Training Board' or AZ POST for short. I don't know what it would be for Minnesota.
Finally, if you intend to file a lawsuit against the police, Minnesota law may require that you first file a 'Notice of Claim' with the officers if you intend to file against them in their official capacities. Definitely check the statute of limitations...
Regards,
Terry Bressi
terry@checkpointusa.org
Forget all these people saying that you should have obeyed them immediately. The law is there and the officers are there to enforce them. They are not above the law and cannot take justice in their own hands. If they really were suspicious of you, having them ID you is enough. But to take out their anger on you just b/c your doing what you do, abiding the law, and carrying on because you did nothing wrong is just wrong. Them officers SHOULD BE FIRED.
I'm sorry to everyone else, but I hope you note everything that goes on. For going overboard and hiding all evidence and everything, framing you, this is not justice.
You could have simply obeyed them, but what point is having our rights when some police believe they are above the law and/or are the law.
I hope everything works out for you. Good luck on your battle Friend.
Stephen, you have such a good case against those horrible men...those bastards. That terrible terrible incident should have never happened.
Forever yours,
Bruce, the skin flute player
dude, know your rights, which you did. thank goddess you aren't more hurt, and use this life experience to build more resolve and fight in your soul. YOU WILL be stronger in the end. good luck and don't give up- truth is on your side.
Thank you all for your continuing comments. There is space here for all to speak. I appreciate very much your voices of support.
NPR did an interview some months back on a truly great Boston beat cop, a person that police and civilians alike would be impressed by. It seems he had survived well more than 35 years on the street. He was asked 'how did you make it this long?'- his reply, 'I never lost my respect for the other person'. Well, there are volumes written in that one statement, and it is also a two-way street. But there's our example for the future. I believe empathy will always take us further than threats.
After reading this, I cannot even tell you how concerned and enraged I am. These cops cannot keep getting away with this sort of behavior. Fight this to the end. I did as Anonymous (June 1 reply) stated. I looked up this Officer Wingate rouge idiot using the yahoo and google search engines. It does seem he has had some problems in the past. Look up the Aaron James Story at www.aaronjamesstory.com. Watch the videos in his blog. Sound familiar. Again the Airport Police framed this guy and discriminated against him. I also see this Officer Windgate had something to do with the Muslims being taken off a U.S. Airways flight. And all they were doing was praying. All you were doing was riding your bike. What a complete joke these Airport cops are. He and the rest of them that framed you need to be fired.
And that leads me to the use of tazers. How awful! Maybe Officer Wingate and the rest of the cops that use them should be tazed themselves. Maybe then they will know how it feels and won’t want to use it so thoughtlessly in the future. And I definitely agree with you, they are a barbaric in nature. But take this a step further. I believe the Airport officer also carries guns. Makes me feel safer. They taze you riding a bike. I don’t even want to know when they might shoot someone. But it comes to the people who make the decisions for a particular department to carry tazers. And it seems these heads are coming into problems with the law as well. It seems I have seen countless stories on the news with cops getting into trouble. Wasn’t a police chief just arrested for DWI not to long ago? I really don’t like them and I have lost all respect for them after reading this and Aaron James’ story.
Well hope everything turns out well for you. I will pass this onto my classmates and friends at the U of M. Many of them ride bikes to and from school each day. We are with you in this fight.
I don’t know if Officer Windgate is a vegitarian or not, but I bet he is a musician playing the skin flute a lot.
This is indeed one of the most horrendous acts against a cyclist I have ever heard of. Such a blatant violation of human rights.
If anything you are going about this in the right way, and you are making an excellent example of how to respond to such treatment. I don't think I would have had the self-restraint you have had throughout this.
I wish you all the best in your trial, and I sincerely hope that those officers are at least fired from the force as a result of this.
All you had to do was comply, as soon as you argue with the police you open up a road that you have now been down. Maybe next time you want to ride your little foldy bike when you fly research how to get to and from the airport you are flying into.
And to say the Airport police in MN represent the Oil Companies you have to be soft in the head.
Total compliance, unfortunately, is the only thing that would work.
That, I agree with. BUT, the force used on this gentleman is reserved for wild-eyed, crack-dealing gangbanging thugs in da' 'hood... not on a pacifist violinist on a folding bicycle.
If TWO cops need that kinda firepower on ONE person, who is that non-threatening, then maybe THEY need to spend more time at the gym instead of the donut shops--or maybe THEY need to be on bikes.
This is a very frightening tale. Please don't drop your efforts to bring this to the attention of the public and the legal system.
This makes me sick. Are you accepting donations for your expenses? I wish you all of the best.
For many years I've been collecting information on user experiences taking bikes on planes riding in/out of about 150 airports.
This is the worst case I have EVER heard of. I posted a warning on the site.
George
www.BikeAccess.net
It comes down to this question...do you think that we should obey a police order at all times no matter what?
Based on some of the postings here, it seems that some people believe that is the case.
If what happened to Stephan happened the way he relates, than my opinion is that there does come a time where we have a RIGHT to peaceful resistance.
Also what this really boils down to is a police officer that let his pride get in the way of doing his job which is to protect and to serve. His judgement to use excessive force was completely out of line, no matter what you believe about whether Stephan should have obeyed or not.
And based on all the evidence presented and the charges against Stephan, none of it implies that Stephan was ever a threat to their safety.
Please respond....
ahhhh.....mmmmm....yah....im gonna need you to work on Sat.
Thanks again for all of your comments and good wishes. Several have asked about contributing to my defense fund. At this point, the greatest social contribution is to spread the word as far and wide as you can and to encourage comments here and on other forums. If we don't take a stand for our civil rights, they will certainly piece by piece erode and disappear. You will not be surprised that this ordeal ticked well into the four digits well within four days. If you wish to contribute something and have the means, I would gratefully accept that, so long as the funds do not diminish what goes to so many other worthy causes, and if you also let me know one or two of your favorite charitable groups where I can later direct something, either in your name or anonymously, 220 Forest Ave St Paul MN 55115. Thanks and welcoming all auditors to the trial beginning Monday July 16, tentatively 1:30 downtown Minneapolis. Top right corner of blog will always have the most recent updates.
BTW, I highly recommend a look at poster Terry Bressi's site checkpointusa.org, then click on TOPD Roadblock. There are many parallels to this case.
Thanks, Stephan
stephan, i am so sorry for your ordeal. this is clearly an inexcusable act of police bullying. i hope you get all of your 6 counts overturned. i'll be following this to see what happens. GOOD LUCK!
Some of these posts depress me. Are we, as Americans, only fit to be herded like cattle? To have an electric prod stuck in our butts to make us comply? Look---Stephan wasn't selling drugs, running guns or mugging passerby. He was riding a bike, for cryin' out loud, trying to get out of the airport.
Has anyone noticed lately that we are in a very, very major war over oil? Is it conceivable that bike riding should actually be encouraged? Perhaps people like Stephan should be respected, if not lauded? While I believe in respecting police, there are times when police are just plain WRONG. There are times when rules are just plain WRONG. There are times when authority MUST BE questioned and resisted simply for the sake of humankind.
Persevere, Stephan!
It is one thing when you read about poloice brutality or hear about it through some second hand source, but to actually know the person involved in an incident is a frightening reality check.
These things do happen. Of course it doesn't mean that all police are bad, in fact, I still believe that many of them are out there doing their job to protect us and are doing it well.
However, the manner in which these police officers behaved from the very begining was inappropriate and unacceptable. The manner in which they behaved at the end, by tasing someone who I personally know to be the last person to use any kind of threatening physical or verbal actions towards anyone at all....that is scary, WRONG, disgusting and alarming.
I agree that we need to stand up to these things or over time it is possible that they will occur more and more. When you start researching it you see it already is happening all around us.
Thank you, Stephan, for spending so much time and energy to stand up for your morals.
Jason
Both the police and criminals are parasites who work to each others benefit using the same system.
They both consider the law abiding as prey.
As do their masters...
Stephan,
You mentioned a Boston Cop in your June 5th posting. You stated he would be someone that civilians and police alike would be impressed by because he never lost respect for the other person. Don’t be fooled or disillusioned for a second. Given the same circumstances, with you conscientiously standing up for your civil rights and objecting to his commands at the time, that Boston Cop would have done the same thing. All these pigs are the same. They suck and take away our civil rights on a daily basis. I looked up the Aaron James story on the website posted by another blogger. They used two tasers on him at the same time. Common, are you kidding me!!!!!! They were trying to kill that guy!!!!!! All he did was be black and have a bag seated next to him while flying. All you did was ride your bike. And you both were treated like animals. I mean common, his mom in the video looks like a sweet, non-threatening little old lady. And look how the Airport Police treated her. Again, I agree with an earlier blogger [[anonymous]], the Airport Police and all police are jokes looking to take whatever civil rights they can away from anyone to make themselves feel big. And in another blog, {anonymous} said police and criminals are parasites. Well add the judicial system to that, becauyse they still have charges against you. Our government is against us. Maybe we should move to Canada? Ha ha. Good luck with everything.
Robbie S.
Dear Stephan,
I was amazed to hear your story and passed it on to all I know, including my sister who this weekend will be starting the Race Across America. I hope to be able to come to support you at your trial, and would come by bike if it weren't for the fact that I can't ride one anymore after being hit by a car who didn't know how to share the road. I wish I had a dollar for all the times people have told me bikes are dangerous! I would donate all the money to your legal expenses and there would still be some left over for all the other causes you feel are even more pressing. (By the way, I always set those ridiculous people straight that bikes are not dangerous, cars are, and they usually cut the conversation short and slink away with their tale between their legs.)
All the best in this and if you are not acquitted I will personally go pour some sugar in the gas tank of Officer Wingate's cruiser and stick a potato in the tailpipe to boot!
I would request to see what exactly the cameras record. If you view yesterday's footage (assuming that it hasn't been erased) then you shouldn't be able to see where the incident occured. If in viewing footage, you can see the area where the incident occured, i would bring that in as evidence. Good luck. I have seen very respectful officers, and unfortunatel i have seen some "nazi" type officers, who think that the badge puts them above the law.
Just because a cyclist is riding in an unusual place doesn't mean it's an illegal place to ride. If the MAC wants to keep bicycles out of there, it must be properly posted so. Despite the incredibly bike hostile design of the roads in and out of the airport, it was NOT so marked when Stephan rode there. It may have been unusual, perhaps unsafe, but not illegal. The police response, aside from being utterly hostile and needlessly aggressive, is unwarranted to begin with. At most they should have politely informed him of the danger and escorted him to a safer route.
Keep us all posted on this. Undoubtedly, their response will be to ban all non-motorized traffic from within a mile of the airport, but this is a public access issue. This is a public facility, and they are discriminating.
unbelievable, yet sadly believable. For a city that considers itself so progressive, it is notable that there is no direct bike / ped access to MSP .
keep posting! pls let us know if it would be helpful to have friendly biker faces in the courtroom come hearing time....
--->> Joe (bike commuter, yes, thru snow, etc...)
No wonder people blow each other away in america.
There is no way I'd stand ofr that and I dont think anyone in the uk would either and beleive me if that kind of action was taken by the police in this ccopuntry in the right areas the police wouldnt be alive, seriously !
All the best man !!!
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Stephan, but am friends with his daughter and soon to be son-in-law. I am appauled that I live in a country where civil liberties are so blatently disregarded, yet know that this is nothing new. I am more concerned with the fact that there is so much of a conspiracy to cover up the truth. It seems as if we will all be prisoners soon in a place which was founded upon the rights, liberties and freedom of all who may live here. I find myself ashamed to call myself an American when the good people of our country are sought out with more rigor than the criminals who threaten our youth daily.
As a sworn peace officer, my initial reaction to the description of what happened to Stephan was, "not too smart Stephan". When two peace officers tell you to stop, you made a very big mistake by riding off.
BUT
The more I have reviewed what Stephan has provided on this site, the more I am convinced that the officers acted well beyond what I would assume would be their Department's "use of force policy"
First, the traffic stop was not based upon any reasonable belief that a law had been broken. The seemingly innocent officer mistake that Stephan was a pedestrian can not be taken seriously. They must know the vehicle code better than that.
Second, It is hard to believe that two rather large officers had to resort to the use of a taser to subdue a 140 pound individual who may have been resistive, but not combatitive. Again put the stop in the perspective that it wasn't even a lawful stop.
I've had several very experienced supervisory law enforcement personnel review the officer's reports and they all came to the conclusion that they would counsel and possibly even disciplined the two officers.
Peter B.
Peter B,
Would it be possiable to obtain the police reports so that we all may see the inconcistancies? I would be very interested to see the lies first hand.
I can't help but think this incident could have been handled in a more effective way by the officers. Bicycle riding is an accepted form of transportation. Stephan has done it, as he says, from numerous airports and saw no prohibitive signs.
This incident needs to be tossed out. The signs put up after the incident clearly indicate that there was a void of proper instruction for travelers. The airport authorities realized too late that they needed these signs, and need to apologize and clean up this incident with Mr. Orsak. He was treated harshly and unfairly.
Thanks again to all, Justin, Eric, Barry,Frances, biker said. Midway Cyclist, great blog. Robbie, thanks, your remarks are sobering to me. Allison, you've suffered in the worst way, but would be great to see you at the trial! Likewise, Joe, a courtroom of friendly biker faces would be great! We could even do a parade getting there. Thanks to Jason, to Peter- great thoughts.
I've put in new direct blog links for the police evidence and narratives. Many have noted that they would like to see the other side, but I guess it wasn't clear. Well, it's here now in bright red! Let me know what you think.
PUTTING OUT A SPECIAL CALL TO ALL CYCLISTS who have ridden at the airport and are willing to be on the witness stand. Can you email me with your info? The case could hinge on this- establishing that it used to be legal to ride there, and that the strange new signs came 4 months later. All of this and more is on the website
http://web.mac.com/stephanorsak
Cheers, Stephan
i don't buy it. i believe that the police pulled stephen over because they didn't want him biking, but everything else, every detail seems too carefully articulated. i don't have any reason to be so cynical, and i believe that the police are capable of this kind of action, but when i read it something smells. i can't just assume he didn't provoke them. it smells like just another tactic to promote his own point of view and that's it.
Ah, "Anonymous", you may be amazed at the level of detail here...and you maybe think that that in it self "smells". But I think that detail goes with being an artist and a musician. Minute details are a major part of playing the violin, especially at a professional level. And if you think about what it takes to paint a portrait, or a landscape, the level of detail there, and then you think about this web site, you might see some parallels. Detail should not make you suspicious something is "off"...rather here it's evidence that Stephan is a very detail-oriented person. I would add intelligent, and thoughtful, and reasonable. See if you can't find those qualities here. It is indeed outrageous to think that a person could be perfectly reasonable and get tazed. Surely that doesn't compute. It couldn't. If I didn't know Stephan I'd be with you, I'd be suspicious myself. But I do know the guy. He really IS reasonable, thoughtful, intelligent and detail oriented. Yes, he did walk away from the officers. Maybe you would too. I have no clue what I would do if someone were yelling at me and treating my like ...well, hmmm, like...well, like nobody should be treated.
i am sorry...i cannot stay quiet on this...ptsd..seriously...now i believe you are just looking for a buck.
Hmmmm. Hmmmmmm. Interesting that one anonymous poster believes that all this is "just to make a buck." It's possible but considering what else (often worse) is swept under the carpet by police throughout the country, I'd be inclined to give Mr. Orsak the benefit of the doubt.
However, I'd like to hear more comments from anyone who thinks this is a made up incident or that the victim is just out to make a buck.
Thus, some questions for anyone who thinks everyone who comes out against police brutality is just trying to make a quick buck.
(1) How do you distinguish exactly, between people "looking for a buck" versus intelligent people who had their civil rights violated and (unlike if it were a poor, uneducated person) and happen to be well equipped mentally and otherwise to fight the injustice, remembering all the details that happened, etc? How do YOU distinguish between the two possibilities?
(2) Do you think people who have had their civil rights violated are entitled to punitive damages? How else does one finally convince the "authorities" (expecially rent-a-cop companies) to be told under no uncertain terms by their bosses that harrassment, belligerancy, and brutality are no-gos? It's not unsimilar to our soldiers in Iraq, a FEW of whom thought, in the absence of strong words to the contrary, that they could literally get away with rape and murder.
Our bill of rights was always designed, and has always worked, to protect the minority viewpoint and rare incident more than it has ever protected the silent, sheep-like majority.
Does one have the right to question the police as to what they're doing wrong? Or are we all supposed to act like we're in a police state and meekly bow our heads and ask or say nothing so that the Gestapo won't beat us with their sticks?????
Hmmmmm.
I also think he is just trying to save his ass...yes, we should question authority but should do so in a correct manor. If we are stopped/seized by a police officer we do not have the right to leave until they conclude. this is what authority does and always has. our authority does not rival the gestapo or the nazi's...try reading about nazi germany or visiting a former prison such as the dakow death camp...
-the angry jew
this is just like liberal america trying to minimize the jews tribulation during the hollacoust
Did it ever occur to you that the police were simply looking out for your safety? I won't even get on a motorcycle because motorists in cars don't see you. Most roads around the airport are freeways...why on earth would you put yourself in that kind of danger?
Many of the bloggers keep referring to the cops as pigs and on ego trips. But the fact of the matter is, they are here to protect society and if they request something of you, you don't get to be belligerent. Would you rather live in a society without police since these pigs have no self control? Crime everywhere you turn? No one to put criminals behind bars and keep drunk drivers off our roads?
We are all human...no one is perfect...including those that serve the community.Profiling does occur, but come on, the police have something against bicyclists?? Perhaps they have ties to Middle East oil and don't approve of your attempt to put them in bankruptcy. That is one heck of a conspiracy theory. I am sure that the airport police were quick to post signs about bicycles as they realized they had overlooked an issue that puts citizens in danger. It is NOT common to see bicyclists to and from the airport.
I heard this story shortly after it occured from the officer-in-training who is ALSO an upstanding citizen. Per him, they were simply trying to get you to move to a safe area to ride. But since you are invincible, you would not listen and rode away from them. They should have slapped an evading police charge on you. (And yes, they have had to be tased and maced in training so they understand what they are inflicting on another human. It sucks you had to get tased, but maybe you should stop thinking YOU are above the law).
By the way, way to bike to help save the environment. I am sure all the jet fuel spewed into the atmosphere from the plane you rode on will have no effect in the coming years.
Rae
I would have to agree that claiming PTSD is evidence of a shakedown. Comparing your incident to the experience of someone in a war is lame.
If nothing else comes of it I hope you learn not to get in a pissing contest with the cops. Your own narrirative says they warned you at least three times.
How is the view from the moral high ground?
I just have to respond to some of the last few comments because while they seem to be comming from intelligent people (as opposed to some of the offensive, comments made by people on BOTH sides of the issue) they still are stretching to turn it all around.
Lets start with the angry jew post. I am Jewish as well, and I would never have equated anything that Stephan has written or posted on his website with being offensive in the least bit towards Jews. The comment was really a reply to another post which was speaking to the fact that we are NOT in a police state and should not feel like we are "bowing our heads to the Gestapo". Is that offensive to the horrific experiences of Jews...to insinuate that we MIGHT be headed in that directio? Certainly not to me, in fact to me it shows a heightened level of respect for the Holocatust because it is coming from someone that is weary of allowing such a terrible thing to ever happen again.
Someone else said, "we do not have a right to leave until they conclude." I'd like to challenge that person to show me the law ordinance that says that. I've looked into it personally and unless you are being put under arrest, (which Stephan was NOT) than that is not the case. Of course if he were in a motor vehicle (which he was not) and the police had pulled him over using the proper procedure (which they did not) then perhaps he could not just drive off, but that was NOT the case, and the police, who are there to protect us, should (and presumably did) know that.
If the police were so "concerned for his safety", then why did they pull up next to him and begin threatening him? Why did they tell him to do something even more dangerous (to walk his bike back against traffic)?
Did the police stop Stephan in the proper way (and what for...he had done NOTHING ILLEGAL...THERE WERE NO SIGNS....)? Were they calm and reasonable and if they were so "concerned for his safety" then why didn't they offer to escort him back to the terminal?
The story from Stepahns point of view is clearly that he was not belligerent but that Officer Wingate was (note that Stephan has always said that it was Wingate that was doing all the yelling at him etc....Bryant just obeyed the order to tase him.) Knowing Stephan, it is hard to believe that he would have ever behaved in a belligerent way and I'm sure that just about anyone who knows him would agree.
I've spoken to several pe