Yesterday, i had transit police and transit security at “centro plaza”, via’s main bus station in san antonio, ban me for 24 hours, physically push me, grab my wrist, and threaten to arrest me, for saying “fuck you” to them, and initially refusing to leave. They said profanity is prohibited, and that centro plaza is private property. They said it would be a felony if i hit back while being arrested.
Via is a government/state entity. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIA_Metropolitan_Transit
As far as i can tell, scotus has said airports are not public forums, but has not decided for bus stations.
I’m under the impression that “Wolin v. Port of New York Authority” would suggest that bus stations are traditional public forums, but that applies in the 2nd circuit, not in texas.
I’m a free speech absolutist. Scotus is not. But i believe even under current case precedent, that via transit police and transit security violated my rights to free speech by banning me from the plaza in response to “profanity”, speech they didn’t like, and eveything that followed on from that, including physically touching me.
What about travis park? Scotus has said that parks are traditional public forums. Travis park is both a park and a concentration of via bus stops. What about via bus shelters on the streets? Scotus has said streets are public forums. What if i wore a shirt that said “fuck the police”, and tried to board a bus?
Any thoughts?
You are omitting the context under which you said what you said.
I arrived at centro plaza needing to use the restroom, and then wanting to catch the number 76 bus westward. I headed for the restroom, and a group of about 4 or 5 transit police and security were standing directly in front of the restrooms. I had my ear buds in. As i arrived at the door, someone, i believe one of the cops, said the bathroom is closed. There was a cardboard sign on the left glass saying it was closed, but otherwise, it didn’t look closed. I either tried opening the door, or more likely continued to approach the open door. I also removed my ear buds. The person inside was a via employee. If i remember right, he said it was closed, and then he extended the yellow partition that they usually use to block it off. I asked how long it would be closed. Someone, i believe the employee, said about 10 minutes. The cop said it would be closed until they were done, in a tone of voice i percieved as hostile. So i started walking off in the direction of the number 76 bus stop, muttering “fuck that and fuck you all”. One of them asked what i said, so i stopped and said that i had said “fuck you”. They said profanity is prohibited, and that this was private property. I argued with them for a minute or 2, saying that it was free speech under the first amendment. They told me to leave and not come back for 24 hours. They asked if i was taking a bus, and i said yes. One of the security said if i hit back while being arrested, it would be a felony. He pushed me several times, and grabbed my wrist once, but i twisted free. Eventually i walked off in the direction of martin street and leona, toward a different stop for number 76 upstream of the plaza. As i was walking off, one of them said to not take a bus, and one yelled to not come back for 24 hours. I continued to flip them off and yell “fuck you” as i left. I caught the number 3 westbound at martin and leona, which becomes the 76. I was on the bus when it stopped at centro, and i flipped them off from my seat, but i don’t think they saw me. https://youtu.be/XLnnDUkZPW0
Ok, so you are just stupid.
First you ignored both the police, a sign, and only deal with the employee, then you immediately get damned rude and start whining about the situation.
You are not the winner you think you are.