LaRouche supporter assaulted by Alaska State Fair Security

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppBZM88mHvQ&feature=player_embedded


From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage, Alaska --

This 10-minute clip of a protester with a Lyndon LaRouche "Impeach Obama Now" sign clashing with state fair security appeared yesterday on YouTube and is gaining buzz this morning.

What we know so far: The man in the video is Sidney Hill, 52, and he has been arrested by Palmer police for assault, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

That according to Palmer police commander Thomas Remaley, who says Hill had a handgun that police seized for evidence and "safekeeping."

“He’s probably legal to have a gun, but you’re not allowed to have a gun at the fairgrounds, so they would have taken it away from him," Remaley said.

Hill was taken to Mat-Su pretrial in Palmer with bail set at $500. He was arraigned this afternoon but had not posted bail as of 2 p.m. today.

I'm trying to reach the private security firm seen in the video.

What exactly launched this encounter? Are fairgoers with political signs always asked to leave?

“It is private property, open to the public. They get to determine their rules," Remaley said.


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UPDATE: Fair marketing director Dean Phipps says the fair has an unwritten policy against people campaigning in common areas of the fairgrounds.

If people want to deliver a political message -- on abortion or Pebble Mine, for example -- they're expected to rent a booth and follow vendor guidelines, he said.

As for the security guards? Did they go too far?

Phipps defended the use of force seen in the clip.

“The initial attempt was to educate him and let him know what the rules were, and he became belligerent. They felt that they were assaulted ... and then responded to that.”


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Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said the trooper who appears partway through the clip was off duty.

More soon.

If you saw what happened yesterday, give me a call at 257-4334 or e-mail khopkins@adn.com.



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