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Dr Peter Watts, Canadian science fiction writer, beaten and arrested at US border
"Hugo-award-nominated science fiction author Dr. Peter Watts is in serious legal trouble after he was beaten, pepper-sprayed and imprisoned by American border guards at a Canada U.S. border crossing December 8.
Peter, a Canadian citizen, was on his way back to Canada after helping a friend move house to Nebraska over the weekend. He was stopped at the border crossing at Port Huron, Michigan by U.S. border police for a search of his rental vehicle. When Peter got out of the car and questioned the nature of the search, the gang of border guards subjected him to a beating, restrained him and pepper sprayed him. At the end of it, local police laid a felony charge of assault against a federal officer against Peter. On Wednesday, he posted bond and walked across the border to Canada in shirtsleeves (he was released by Port Huron officials with his car and possessions locked in impound, into a winter storm that evening). He's home safe. For now. But he has to go back to Michigan to face the charge brought against him."
An update to the article added that he was denied access to a lawyer, twice asked to waive his miranda rights, and kept in a prison cell without clothing.
What I don't get is why he was stopped by American customs officers. When you're crossing into Canada, Canadian customs lets you in. The US lets you into the US--why would they care if he was leaving?
I don't even know this guy and I'd gladly contribute to his defence fund if I had any money. Unless you're trying to blow up the Bluewater Bridge or pointing a gun at customs, there is NOTHING you can do that warrants this treatment.
"Hugo-award-nominated science fiction author Dr. Peter Watts is in serious legal trouble after he was beaten, pepper-sprayed and imprisoned by American border guards at a Canada U.S. border crossing December 8.
Peter, a Canadian citizen, was on his way back to Canada after helping a friend move house to Nebraska over the weekend. He was stopped at the border crossing at Port Huron, Michigan by U.S. border police for a search of his rental vehicle. When Peter got out of the car and questioned the nature of the search, the gang of border guards subjected him to a beating, restrained him and pepper sprayed him. At the end of it, local police laid a felony charge of assault against a federal officer against Peter. On Wednesday, he posted bond and walked across the border to Canada in shirtsleeves (he was released by Port Huron officials with his car and possessions locked in impound, into a winter storm that evening). He's home safe. For now. But he has to go back to Michigan to face the charge brought against him."
An update to the article added that he was denied access to a lawyer, twice asked to waive his miranda rights, and kept in a prison cell without clothing.
What I don't get is why he was stopped by American customs officers. When you're crossing into Canada, Canadian customs lets you in. The US lets you into the US--why would they care if he was leaving?
I don't even know this guy and I'd gladly contribute to his defence fund if I had any money. Unless you're trying to blow up the Bluewater Bridge or pointing a gun at customs, there is NOTHING you can do that warrants this treatment.
