Minneapolis PD officer arrests Libertarian MnGov campaign for ballot signature collection
Channel: HongPong
Date: 30/05/2014

Libertarian Party MN candidate for governor Chris Holbrook arrested petitioning to get on the ballot May 29 2014 at Calhoun Park (petitions due Tuesday June 3)! 
Full post: http://hongpong.com/archives/2014/05/30/breaking-libertarian-party-candidate-mn-governor-arrested-minneapolis-lake-calho
SOURCE Chris4Gov  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1379527655655113
VIDEO OF ARREST:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve2sP2a94xs

I sent this to my city council member:
I was rather shocked to see a video of the Minneapolis Park Police arresting a candidate for governor, Chris Holbrook of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, on Lake Calhoun, posted a couple hours ago. Original video URL here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=654897927893344

The Park Police state he "can't advertise in the park... you need a permit for it" but this is wrong. Minneapolis Ordinances Chapter 332.20: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@clerk/documents/webcontent/wcms1p-094207.pdf

(1) Non-commercial door-to-door advocates. Nothing within this chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit or restrict non-commercial door-to-door advocates. Person engaging in non-commercial door-to-door advocacy shall not be required to register as a solicitor under this chapter.

This is a really major affront to the processes of democracy, specifically the onerous ballot signature access collection process which has to be performed in public places. I would hope that the City Council can make clear to the Park Police that petition signatures do not require permits, and indicate to Minneapolis' members of the Legislature and the Secretary of State's office that a candidate was unlawfully impeded from their Constitutional, statutory & ordinance recognized right to do noncommercial activity in public parks in Minneapolis. The independent candidates only have until next Tuesday to collect signatures and this is really just terrible. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.