In Support of Andrew Meyer

This petition is for those who are frustrated with the recent events that took place during the July 17th forum with Senator John Kerry at the University of Florida.

After Senator Kerry agreed to take college student Andrew Meyer's question, Meyer approached the microphone with some relevant questions about Kerry's involvement with the Skull and Bones society at Yale University.

The University of Florida Police then proceeded to restrain Meyer, even after the Senator had agreed to answer his question. Several police officers continued to restrain Meyer as he was led away, roughed up, and tasered right there in front of Senator Kerry and the other guests in attendance.

The actions by the University of Florida Police Department are completely sickening, abusive, unacceptable, and deserve the highest form of punishment for the crime.

However, this is not to say that the police are the only ones who did something unacceptable in this situation. Senator Kerry, microphone in hand and moderator of the entire situation, had total control of this crowd and the situation. Instead of him demanding that the police officers stop bullying and abusing Andrew Meyer, he merely stood back and watched the officers rough up a 21 year old kid, all because of a simple passive question. Kerry could have easily said something into the microphone that would have stopped the police officers actions. Senator Kerry who took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic did not pull through this time. Meyers Constitutional rights were not protected by those there designated to uphold and protect them, therefore Senator Kerry and the police officers involved must be penalized.

Finally, for those in attendance, who did not stand up for Meyer and simply watched as the police beat up a college student, shame on you. While Im sure most of you knew in your hearts that what was happening was unjust, you did nothing to help a fellow human in need of your assistance. This example of pluralistic ignorance is precisely what is wrong with our country, our society, and the world today. People dont have the gumption and proactive nature to do what they think is right. Instead they wait around idly for someone else to take care of it while someone else gets burned due to their neglect. Its only a matter of time before such actions catch up to those ignoring this situation. The loss is freedom.

Though it seems that Andrew Meyer, the only person in that room who did stand up for principle, is the biggest victim of oppression in this situation, his own willingness to follow instinct, speak out, and take action against an unpopular idea, undoubtedly makes him more free than any of us.

The real victim becomes oppressed voluntarily. He or she who chooses to live in fear of conflict and doesnt risk following instinct or principle, has no freedom of the mind and ultimately they are the one that ends up absorbing the most punishment. Consequently, these are the people who look for freedom in the hands of others, like John Kerry and the police officers at the University of Florida, without realizing that the only real freedom exists entirely within. In this instance, those people include those in attendance who didnt stand up at all or not enough for what they felt was an injustice. Furthermore, everyone who had to witness this on television and on the internet become victimized from simply having no voice in the matter. Hopefully, people are able to channel their anger and frustration into preventing this from ever happening again.

However, if this event does not serve as a wakeup call for people to adopt the kind of backbone displayed by Meyer, I assure you that demise of this county, as well as civilization as we know it, is eminent. Hopefully Andrews actions will serve as a wake-up call for all people to make more proactive measures to liberty, autonomy, and to following the instinct which makes us human.

The American people cannot let this abuse of power slide. When police are picking fights and tasering college students for asking a politician a simple question in a forum designed for such things, you can be sure that you live in an authoritarian police state. This petition is designed to let the rest of the country, police and politicians included, know that this is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.

Andrew Meyer did his part and will forever be a martyr for humanity and freedom of speech. Please join him.