British author jailed for jaywalking in Atlanta

[Artegal 1]

British historian Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, author of the 2006 book "Pathfinders: A Global History of Exploration," found the streets of downtown Atlanta much more difficult to navigate during last week's annual convention of the American Historians Association.

Fernandez-Armesto said he was handcuffed and jailed for jaywalking across Peachtree Center Avenue.

Police confirmed the Tufts University professor was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, said Officer Steve Coleman of the Atlanta Police Department.

Coleman said more details of the arrest were not readily available after hours when he was asked about the incident Monday night and police would not be able to comment.

Fernandez-Armesto said he was accosted by a man he did not know was a police officer — "I did not see a badge or any identification" — as he crossed the street.

"Where I come from, jaywalking is not a crime," he said. "It did not occur to me that there was anything wrong with what I was doing."

When the author of 19 books reached the other side of the street, he was met by the officer requesting identification.

"When I questioned who he was he said something to the effect of 'When I give you an order, you obey it,' " Fernandez-Armesto said. "I asked him what his authority was because I didn't see a badge. Where I'm from you don't associate young gentlemen in bomber jackets with the police. But he was extremely upset I had questioned his bona fides."

Fernandez-Armesto, 56, a former professor at Oxford, was unable to produce proper identification. "I had left my green card in my hotel room. I was puzzled. I was baffled, at a loss, really," he said. "While I was hesitating, he lost patience."

At that point, the slightly built historian said the officer kicked his legs under him and pinned him to the ground, causing his glasses to fall off. Two other officers assisted in holding him down, said Fernandez-Armesto, who said he suffered a gash on his forehead and a bruise on his wrist as he attempted to break his fall.

"It was the most violence I've ever experienced in my life," said Fernandez-Armesto. "And I was mugged once while at Oxford."

But his ordeal was not complete.

Fernandez-Armesto was taken into custody, where he spent the next eight hours along with "extremely unfortunate members of the underclass." He was fingerprinted and mug shots were taken. "It was an extremely traumatic experience," he said. "I was in a state of paralytic fear," he said. "My livelihood is dependent on coming over to the U.S., and any record would've ruined my way of life."

Fernandez-Armesto appeared the next morning in traffic court, "throwing myself on the mercy of the judge." After consulting with prosecutors, he was offered a deal — plead "no contest" and he'd be released. "I could not do that and risk my green card," he said.

Soon after, the charges were dropped and he was released.

"I think it was quite clear to everyone that this entire matter had gotten completely out of hand," he said.

The AHA noted on its Web site Monday that its council will send a letter of protest to officials in the city.

Fernandez-Armesto had never been to Atlanta before.

"That was my first morning here," he said. "I must say I didn't get to experience the Southern hospitality I'd heard so much about."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[scotty 0]

Geeeeeeezus, ####### is that all about forced down to your knees, glasses falling off, pinned and held down by 3 so called police officers, sustained injuries. held for 8 hours, no apology

Yeah welcome to America !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it sucks

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Noting Fernandez-Armesto's comment:

"Where I come from, jaywalking is not a crime," he said. "It did not occur to me that there was anything wrong with what I was doing."

May not be a crime in UK, but it is a traffic offence (misdemeanour) in US and Canada. Since he has a GC, he should have been aware of traffic laws by now.

[scotty 0]

so your saying the treatment of this guy was justified, do you have to use forceful tactics I don't think so and where was the police officers id, and you have never been somewhat lost visiting a new town or city.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

"Where I come from, jaywalking is not a crime," he said. "It did not occur to me that there was anything wrong with what I was doing."

and his ignorance of the law isn't a defence.

I had left my green card in my hotel room.

bad move, slick.

Fernandez-Armesto was taken into custody, where he spent the next eight hours along with "extremely unfortunate members of the underclass."

must be the new phrase for "bums and drunks"

Fernandez-Armesto had never been to Atlanta before.

bet he never jaywalks there again.

[Lizzy 0]

I dont think this 56 year old man deserved to be forced down to his knees, while his glasses fell off, pinned and held down by 3 police officers.

In England it seems the police are much more aware of human rights and the repercussions of this kind of violence than here, to be frank some of the police officers here seem to be on a power trip, im not saying in the UK there not its just more evident here.

Saying this he should of been aware that jaywalking is an offense here, i know that and don't even have AOS yet.... nightmare!

[Boiler 45,525]

he said. "My livelihood is dependent on coming over to the U.S., and any record would've ruined my way of life."

If he is a GC Holder then he is a Resident of the US, never a good idea to assume that this sort of report is the whole truth.

[Marilyn. 340]

he does seem a bit pompous but I don't think he deserved to be pushed down to knees etc.. and manhandled by 5 police officers

[Marilyn. 340]

from what it sounds like he doesn't have a green card..... in the the interview he says something about "chances of a green card would be destroyed"

I am watching his interview at the moment and he does say he is in the process of getting his green card....

Edited January 9, 2007 by MarilynP

[scotty 0]

where can I see this interview

[Marilyn. 340]

where can I see this interview

I posted the link in on of my posts....

[almaty 19]

too much police force used for this case...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

There have, unfortunately, been a few incidents in the Atlanta area recently of unacceptable and extreme police force used in similar situations to this. The fact that the police had no identification and was not willing to identify himself disturbs me as much as the violence. Recently a member of Atlanta's finest lost his job after an extensive investigation to his abusive use of force at the Atlanta airport. A woman had stopped her car in the passenger pick up to pick up her elderly mother who was waiting. The police on security there told her to 'move on' - she tried to explain she was picking up her mother - who was right there - but the officer insisted. He got right up into her face inside the vehicle and yelled at her. She put the car in gear and moved on but as she did her side mirror caught the arm of the police officer. He immediately yanked open the car door, hauled her out of the car, threw her to the ground and put his foot on her to hold her down. The police charged her with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. She ended up suing the police force who initially supported his actions - until it was discovered the whole thing was caught on a video security monitoring tape. It was so obviously over the top that the police dismissed the charges against her and ended up firing the officer - who later sued the woman for his damages! (Yeah, that's right - HIS damages). This same officer had had a similar violence charge from previous that had earned him a reprimand. It sounds like he was either re-hired or has a clone on the Atlanta police force still.

Edited January 9, 2007 by Kathryn41

[Heracles 417]

The ridiculous thing about it is that the US has such a problem with worse crimes yet the cops waste a lot of time with BS like that. I wonder what would have happened if he was black. Then jesse Jackson etc would be out saying they are racists and try to keep the black man down rubbish..

Edited January 9, 2007 by Infidel

[pedroh 21]

The ridiculous thing about it is that the US has such a problem with worse crimes yet the cops waste a lot of time with BS like that. I wonder what would have happened if he was black. Then jesse Jackson etc would be out saying they are racists and try to keep the black man down rubbish..

have you joined the kkk or are you just blind that minorities still suffer abuse from the authorities??

yea some pigs are hateful, i dunno how they keep their jobs after being complete arseholes..