June 26, 2009 5:11 PM
- Text
Kerry Stunned Over Taser Incident
(The Politico)
Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) said he still doesn’t know why police Tasered a University of Florida student during the senator’s speech Monday, saying, "I could have handled the situation without interruption."
Kerry, however, was quick not to undermine the police decision to use force.
“I don’t know what transpired,” Kerry said. “The police must have had a reason to make their decision.”
The senator would not comment as to whether the police used an appropriate level of force, saying, “That is a law enforcement issue.”
Kerry was speaking at the University of Florida, when Andrew Meyer, a student, burst into the room and ran towards a microphone, attempting to ask Kerry a question. According to university officials, Meyer was allowed to ask several questions before his microphone was cut off and university police stepped in.
Meyer screamed: "Don't Tase me, bro!" as officers attempted to drag him outside the auditorium, according to the Florida Alligator newspaper.
Kerry said he never felt threatened by Meyer, saying he tried to quiet the crowd and asked police to allow Meyer to ask his question.
"I have never had a dialog interrupted like that in 37 years, at any event,” Kerry said.
Meyer was charged with disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.
Kerry, however, was quick not to undermine the police decision to use force.
“I don’t know what transpired,” Kerry said. “The police must have had a reason to make their decision.”
The senator would not comment as to whether the police used an appropriate level of force, saying, “That is a law enforcement issue.”
Kerry was speaking at the University of Florida, when Andrew Meyer, a student, burst into the room and ran towards a microphone, attempting to ask Kerry a question. According to university officials, Meyer was allowed to ask several questions before his microphone was cut off and university police stepped in.
Meyer screamed: "Don't Tase me, bro!" as officers attempted to drag him outside the auditorium, according to the Florida Alligator newspaper.
Kerry said he never felt threatened by Meyer, saying he tried to quiet the crowd and asked police to allow Meyer to ask his question.
"I have never had a dialog interrupted like that in 37 years, at any event,” Kerry said.
Meyer was charged with disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.
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