Civil Rights are Dead at Manhattan Beach

filmlover44

I ran across this on Gowanus Lounge. It's long, so I haven't reprinted the whole thing here. You can read Gene Berardelli's account of his arrest if you follow the link:


http://www.gerritsenbeach.net/2008/06/07/civil-rights-are-dead-in-manhattan-beach-based-on-race/

Friday, June 6th was senior cut day for some local schools, and then they head down to Manhattan Beach for a day of sun and fun, but the past two years have been anything but fun. Last year there was the infamous email from Dr. Ron calling beachgoers “thugs”. This year in anticipation of the return of the “thugs”, the residents have been demanding all year for a plan addressing “Senior Cut Day” and all that comes with it.

Well Senior Cut came and it did not go well for beachgoers their civil rights went out the window. Before I get to that really big news. Here is what I personally saw.

Knowing senior cut day was Friday. I made sure to at least make an effort to get down there and catch the “thugs” in action. On my way down to Manhattan Beach I had heard that Gene Berardelli, Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic’s attorney, was arrested for disorderly conduct. I was surprised, mainly because this is a guy who sits on the 61 PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL and I couldn’t see him getting arrested.

With this in mind I headed to the beach.

Right away I had asked one of the officers whom I thought was in command (white shirt) if there was any incidents on the beach. He responded that there weren’t any. I had asked if he heard about anyone getting arrested, he said he hadn’t heard of anyone. I knew this was false so I walked around and was even more surprised by officers actions.