[Harp-L] Re: Arrested for playing harp

[Gary <gary@xxxxxx>]

If any of y'all get arrested in Mobile, Alabama, for playing harp in 
public, this harmonica-sucking Magistrate will get you out of jail, 
free!  I keep a C, an A, and a D on my desk while I'm magistratin'.


Gary Cohen   ||   gary@xxxxxx
Magistrate, City of Mobile, Alabama


At 06:03 PM 2/3/2007, you wrote:
> From: David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>
> Winslow sparked some memories in which I was almost arrested for 
> playing harmonica, I wonder if anyone else has had that ignominious experience?
>
> In Boston, ('71?) I was ejected from our basement crash-pad to play 
> my harp outdoors.  I sat on a snowy stoop and blew (and sucked!) 
> with abandon, when suddenly a member of Boston's finest approached 
> my caterwauling self and said, "Boy, there's an 1890's ordinance in 
> Boston outlawing the playing of harmonicas in public, and 
> altho  I've never seen it enforced it before, in your case I 'd make 
> an exception!"
>
> I stopped and returned to my crowded hole on Marlboro Street, shamed 
> and quiet.
>
> <SNIP>
>
> A Pasadena cop immediately confronted me and angrily said he'd 
> arrested me if I didn't stop.  I hesitated.  After all, I was being 
> accused of playing music, finally!  The cop was serious (stupid!) 
> and an afternoon in the hoosegow would be inconvenient, so I ceased 
> and desisted.
>
> And this timidity from a guy who was arrested no less that a several 
> dozen times in demonstrations in the 60's and 70's.  Go figure.
>
> Another thread might be playin' harp in jail, I won't start it now.
>
> Anyone else faced arrest for their sucking on harps?
>
> -Dave Fertig
>
> ------------------------------
> From: Michael Rubin <rubinmichael@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] arrested for harp
> To: d d d <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <915408.11669.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> I have never been arrested for harp playing, but I have been asked 
> to stop busking by cops a few times.

<SNIP>

>   "I wonder why cops make me so uncomfortable.  Perhaps it is 
> because I am a musician."
>   "Musician?", he said,"Is this YOUR band?"
>   "No."  I lied.  I regret not being true to my band, yet I think I 
> made the right choice.
>
>   In another story, I was arrested at 16 years old for being drunk 
> in public.  They took my harps away with the rest of my possessions 
> before putting me in the cell.  I always thought I got ripped 
> off.  May I never have the chance again.
>   Michael Rubin
> *************************************




--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.24/668 - Release Date: 2/4/2007 1:30 AM