NYPD arrests, detains couple for 23 hours for dancing while waiting for the subwayMadison Ruppert, Contributor Interestingly, this case seems to also bring in the fascinating and troubling trend of police arresting people (and in at least one case even brutally assaulting someone) simply for exercising their right to film officers in a public place performing their public duties. This particular incident which actually occurred last July but is just now being brought up in a lawsuit involves a couple, 55-year-old Caroline Stern and 54-year-old George Hess, who were allegedly dancing on the empty Columbus Circle subway platform in New York City after listening to jazz at Lincoln Center. No, this isnt quite like the people who were arrested for dancing in Washington D.C. at the Jefferson Memorial, as this was in no way an act of civil disobedience or protest. It was just dancing. According to Fox News Insider, the couple was arrested for impeding the flow of traffic because they were dancing while waiting on the subway to arrive shortly before midnight. We were doing the Charleston, said Stern, recalling the events after last Julys Jazz at Lincoln Centers Midsummer Nights Swing. Police officers then approached the dancing couple and informed them that they were not allowed to dance on the subway platform. They said, What are you doing? and we said, Were dancing, she recalled, according to the New York Post. And they said, You cant do that on the platform. Officers then asked for identification from the couple, but when the woman was only able to show them her credit card with her photograph and signature, the police detained them. In Foxs video coverage of this incident, they stated that one of the couple taking out their phone to record the encounter with police is the incident which actually sparked the arrest which led to a whopping 23 hours in police custody. We brought out the camera, and thats when they called backup, Stern said. Thats when eight ninja cops came from out of nowhere. Hess alleges that he was tackled to the floor of the subway platform by the police and that they both were handcuffed and initially charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly impeding the flow of traffic. Stern disputes the allegation of impeding the flow of traffic, saying, There was nobody on the platform. There were, like, three people. Unsurprisingly, the charges which even allegedly include resisting arrest were later dropped by the police. This hasnt stopped Stern and Hess from fighting back. They recently filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against the city for damages which are not specified. Im a dentist, and Im 55, and I got arrested for dancing, Stern told the New York Post. It was absolutely ridiculous that this happened. She also cited the absurdity of the fact that the musician was legally playing there and yet they were arrested for dancing to the music. If you are surrounded by good musicians, thats going to make you want to dance, Stern said. The musician who is playing is legal, but were illegal? When youre waiting for the subway late at night, theres not much to do but dance and celebrate life, she added. Currently, the New York City Law Department is reviewing the papers filed by the couple, according to a spokeswoman. Personally, I just see this as yet another example of the nanny state gone completely insane. To be perfectly honest, I dont find this type of absurdity to be all that surprising in New York City where there is an outdoor smoking ban, soda ban, trans fat ban, a ban on giving food to the homeless and even an attempt to ban salt. Please support our work and help us start to pay contributors by doing your shopping through our Amazon link or check out some must-have products at our store. This article first appeared at End the Lie. Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis database End The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. He is available for podcast and radio interviews. Madison also now has his own radio show on Orion Talk Radio from 8 pm 10 pm Pacific, which you can find HERE. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him at admin@EndtheLie.com linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 