Sing It Loud

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 23, 2009:

A man was acquitted Wednesday after being arrested for refusing to heed a police officer's command he stop singing in a public park. A judge found Ron not guilty of disorderly conduct, saying "This is America, not Afghanistan."

Ron, an aspiring politician from New Jersey, had faced a three month sentence after loudly singing "A Change is Gonna Come" in Rittenhouse Square in downtown Philadelphia in October (2008).

Greg Wilkinson, the arresting officer, testified Ron was singing so loud his voice drowned out his police radio.

"All he had to do was lower his voice and this never would have happened," prosecutor William James said.

Witnesses testified that Ron had asked Wilkinson what the law was restricting him from singing in the park. Wilkinson responded that he was the law. When Ron asked Wilkinson whether he was still in America, Wilkinson replied "this is Afghanistan," according to witnesses.

The city is now reviewing what sorts of music should be allowed in its public parks.

Defense attorney Evan Shingles said Ron had every right to ignore the officer's unlawful command.

Posted by Bittle at April 23, 2009 04:15 PM