This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on July 9, 2013.
To some people I may look intimidating (see bio picture below) however most dismiss me as their uncle. Today that was different. A police officer considered me a threat to the community and stopped to question me, insisting I was up to ‘no good’ as I was sitting in my car in a parking lot.
For years we have published content from actual raid victims terrorized by the system (aka ‘the man’) but personally had little involvement with the police. You see I have had the luxury of being a white male. Ask any one alive over the past 50 years about how valuable that is.
Today, as I sat in the parking lot of my primary dispensary in Michigan, being white, and looking like your Uncle Dan, I was questioned in my parked car. I might add a modest yet very new, clean vehicle with up-to-date tabs.
When the officer ran up to me with his car blocking me he asked, “what are you doing here”?
I said, “waiting for this business to open”.
The officer then asked (demanded) to see my ID. When I declined his invitation, he added the option, ‘or else’. Immediately, I thanked the officer for his service to the community and kindly told him that I was unwilling to give my ID for a warrantless search and asked why I looked ‘suspicious’,’had there been a crime in the area’?
My background as a military police officer helped me to understand fully the type of ‘cop’ I was dealing with here. Most cops do not act this way.
Over the course of 2 minutes, I kindly refused questioning and a search of my vehicle. The officer kept asking “why I was afraid of him searching my vehicle” and I eventually stated in a harsher tone that ‘I do not answer questions’, and asked if I was free to go.
The officer eventually called dispatch with my license plate number which revealed that I was in fact, not a criminal.
To all the victims of the system, minorities, skateboarders, and those that do not quite look right, I now understand your stories and feel your angst. While my story can never compare to the true tragedies, no one can say my rights were not violated by this ‘douche bag’.
As I reflect on todays situation, I realize that I stood up for my rights, and that is more important than attempting to strip the civil rights of some one else. Peace!