This is the textbook definition of disturbing the peace. It's ridiculous that this guy wasn't arrested.
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Yeah, screaming heil Hitler, heil Trump and terrifying hundreds of people isn't a "threat" to anyone. Pathetic. The Baltimore police basically sanctioned this.
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Black men have been killed for less. Shame on the police department.
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The Baltimore police's statement that this conduct is protected by the First Amendment, is wrong. Saying the words "heil Hitler" to a Jewish audience is what is known as "fighting words." Fighting words are not protected by the First Amendment.
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Why is this not public disturbance??
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So wait a minute. The bumbling drunk anti-trumper was actually making some ironic performance art (perhaps unintentionally?)
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@Peter R That's his story, if you believe him.
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I wonder how many similar shouts go unreported these days?
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Would the "fighting words" doctrine allow someone to sock him in the jaw and not be charged with assault?
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Just to clarify: you can shout "fire" in a crowded theater IF THERE IS A FIRE. You can't shout "Heil".
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How is this different than the mirror actions and words of the member of the cast of Hamilton breaking the 4th wall and lecturing the audience including..was it the VP? Seems that he was lauded at the time, not arrested. Personally, if I go to the theater to watch a play I would like to see and hear a play, not a lecture. I get enough of those from my kids and ex wives.
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@Mark Shyres You actually wonder how this is different? Really?
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@Mark Shyres This is "different" because the facts (things Trump supporters loath) are that the Hamilton speech occurred AFTER the performance concluded, and the actor said: "“We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights.
“We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”
The actor did NOT shout slogans akin to shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theatre.
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If you REALLY can't see the difference between these two events, then all I can say, in the words of the Irish priest, "God bless ya, child".
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Deplorable. Period.
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No charges?
Anyone ever hear of disturbing the peace?
If you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater, how is it that police determined that you could yell something that could just as easily start a panic (it wasn't unreasonable to think he might have had a gun)
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exactly my first thought.
@N413N
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It's astounding that the Baltimore Police Dept spokesman could assert that an audience member yelling "Heil Hitler" in a theatre is "protected free speech" and not a crime, e.g., at least a misdemeanor like disturbing the peace. Neo-nazis and other rightwing activists must be reading about this right now and planning more "protected free speech" events in Baltimore.
Shame on the Baltimore PD.
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I...do not believe his excuse. And who pre-games to the point of stumbling drunk to go to the theater? (And probably paid a pretty hefty price for the tickets!)
I am also disappointed in the Baltimore PD. The man could could certainly have been arrested for drunk & disorderly.
I was once at a theater performance when a patron stood up and yelled "Death to the playwright!" and it was about the time of an "incident" as we are calling them...almost everything happens these days close to an incident. And everyone in the audience flinched.
The man left, but we all felt the impact of it.
People who selfishly interrupt public ART should have to cover everyone's tickets! (And at free shows, cover everyone's transportation.) I'm serious.
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@Kathleen Warnock You are absolutely right and everybody I know agrees.
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Why were no charges brought? Isn't this the equivalent of yelling "fire" in a crowded theater -- something that has no First Amendment protection? Surely this counts as disorderly conduct.
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@abg
One explanation for the lack of charges is that perhaps the Baltimore police department not only does not see anything wrong with this man's actions, but basically supports and agrees with him. Who knows?
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Very glad to hear that at least no one was hurt. So very sad that regular people don't get to enjoy a great show without being in fear for their lives.
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@Jennifer:"Very glad to hear that at least no one was hurt. "
If Derlunas has caused a panic and people were hurt would he have been arrested and charges brought?
I think a very serious mistake was made when they failed to charge him. It is as if a mass shooter fired a number of bullets but hit no-one. Would they let such a shooter go free, uncharged?
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