California Cops Crack Down On Peace Honking

[matcom]

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TIBURON, Calif. --Protesters are locking horns with police in pacifist-packed Marin County for fining drivers who honk for peace. Officers have been pulling over motorists who honk as they drive by a weekly peace demonstration. Protesters say police are squelching freedom of expression.

"We have been picketing for a long time. All of a sudden the police are out there trying to stop the honks," said peacenik Melvin Fiske, a corporal in the Marines during World War II. "We assume honking is as American as (apple) pie. If people want to applaud our actions it is their right to do that."

Tiburon police Capt. Dave Hutton said excessive honking is an "unlawful use of horn" and officers are simply doing their job.

So far, officers have issued three citations and nine warnings.

Five to 10 protesters typically participate in the hourlong Friday peace vigils.

Protester William Rothman said about four weeks ago police began "lying in wait" for motorists. As soon as a driver honked, police pulled the car over.

One neighbor who lives near the protest site said the honking "annoys the hell out of me."

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/06/13/calif_cops_crack_down_on_peace_honking?mode=PF