Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew H.
With this in mind, the big question to me is the right of a law enforcement official to extradite and arrest someone for publishing a book that is clearly protected by the 1st Amendment. No matter how immoral people may find the subject matter of the book to be. The power to drag someone across the country and imprison them for something that isn't illegal does, in my mind, justify the Niemoller quote.
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Don't forget Mr Greaves' book was reviewed by the Florida State Attorney's Office and by Polk County Judge J. Michael McCarthy, who found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant. The County Sheriff didn't act alone.
Arraignment isn't until Jan 25, 2011 so we won't know until then if and when this goes to trial.
As to whether Mr Greaves' book is protected by the First Amendment, at the moment only a jury can decide. Can you imagine how difficult the jury selection for this case will be, if it comes to this?
Also, I am surprised that the ACLU and other civil liberty groups haven't offered to represent Mr Greaves. Instead he is relying on a public defender.