Forum Post: RAY Lewis the ret. Police Officer who supports OWS
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 8, 2011, 8:53 p.m. EST by Doc4the99
(591)
from Washington, DC
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
is getting his pension threatened! what a shame.
“It could give the mistaken opinion that somehow this is a statement being made by a member of the police department..."
Capt. Ray Lewis, Philadelphia Police, Ret.
Where does that second sentence give the impression that he isn't a member of the police department?
The uniform is his, the position is his and I do believe it is his choice to use both in a manner he deems fit as per his oath as an officer.
Police is a lot like Marines, you join up, you retire, but you are always part of the unit. It's a lifetime commitment.
I can't speak for anyone else, but Mr. Lewis is my hero, not of just the hour, but a bonafide hero. He's earned the title.
I haven't read the article -
but my guess is someone is attempting to make an example of him to others who wear the uniform and feel as he does.
It will be a huge mistake not to support him as vocally, as forcefully, as possible.
The police are middle class guys who are getting their pockets picked by wall street just like the rest of us. Hard to care while getting pepper sprayed ---but it is true.
I love the Ravens. Lets go Ravens!!!!!!!
Retired Cops wear Uniforms to Funerals & Parades all the time. And he cant. Outrageous! Wheres the ACLU. OWS should sponsor a Parade for Retired Cops & Firemen. I wonder how many would come ? I know there isn't a single one in the 1%
There is a difference between wearing your uniform to a funeral and wearing in order to engage in civil disobedience. There's nothing outrageous about this rule. You would not want to see police officers, in uniform, supporting a movement you opposed. Lets say you are pro-choice - you would be furious to see officers standing at a pro-life rally holding signs and marching around. (or vice-versa).
He decided to get arrested to make a point which takes a lot of guts taking account of his position. Your right I might not like cops at a pro life Rally but I know it's their right. I still think it's outrageous for his First amendment rights to be abused by his former employer.
His first amendment right was not abused. In the article that I read - the department and the FOP (who apparently wrote a letter to him) supported his first amendment right to protest - but scolded him for doing it in uniform. I know you think that it is a big deal for this police officer to get arrested. But he is just a man, just like any other person out there. The fact that he is a retired police officer does not really mean anything. Every police officer in the world has their own beliefs, thoughts, and feelings independent of the uniform. By wearing the uniform to this event, he changes the perspective from "I'm Ray Lewis and I support the Occupy movement" to "Retired Philadelphia Police Captain supports the Occupy movement." Now he has brought his former employer into the picture, and that is unnecessary.
Let agree to disagree.
Ok... :)
Yep. That is a shame.
hope we can support him as much as possible
It's really a rather foolish position; there are departmental regulations that prohibit the use of the uniform as advertisement... the uniform is representative of the law-in-fact and should be publicly perceived as entirely impartial to anything but the law.
Ray lewis true hero