Dear Fellow Survivors,
On Wednesday September 13, 2006, a Survivor of STRAIGHT, INC. was on the public sidewalk at TC Williams High School in Alexandria VA holding a sign that said On the Web @ melriddile.info on one side and HELP STOP ABUSIVE DRUG TREATMENT on the other. Three of his able and willing sons were peacefully handing out flyers to pedestrians on the same sidewalk.
At approximately 4:50PM, Dr. Riddile walked out of the school with a camera in his hand and came within 50 feet of the Survivor and his sons before turning around and proceeding back into the school. 2 unidentified individuals approached the Survivor and demanded to see his permit to protest. For the record, such permits are not issued for demonstrations. In Alexandria. It is considered to be a right of the American citizen to assemble in a peaceful manner and no permits are required. The sidewalk in front of TC Williams High School is considered a public right of way. The act of intimidating the Survivor and his sons in this case indicates a significant breach of the basic Freedom of Speech rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America to all American citizens. Furthermore, the Survivor and his sons were urged under threat of being handcuffed by Alexandria Police to move across the street since a permit was not produced during the time the survivor was advising the officers that a permit was not required. Reluctantly and instead of being arrested, the survivor and his three sons went across the street.
As a result of this incident, the media has indicated a degree of interest in this story. If you would like to help, please write something about the program in your words and be prepared to talk to or email a major DC area TV station regarding Mel Riddile and his OBVIOUS lack of respect for Civil Rights and his role in the directing of widespread abusive drug treatment.
Keep in mind that this story is still in development.
Sincerely,
A Fellow Survivor
