ORGANIC UNDERGROUND STAFF THREATENED WITH ARREST!!!
July 14, 2008

On Friday, July 11th, while participating in the local Summerfest activities on Front Street in downtown Belleville, an officer with Belleville Police Services was seen approaching numerous stores and street artists clutching a copy of a newspaper dedicated to street art and graffiti. This officer, Todd Bennett, was heard by [Organic Underground] staff to say that if anyone knew who the "asshole" was who was distributing this literature the police were to be contacted.

This particular newspaper was displayed on a table in front of the cafe along with political buttons, honey, fair trade coffee and chocolate, patches and Marxist and Anarchist literature.

An Organic Underground staff person overheard the officer and approached him stating that the literature belonged him and that he had every intention of continuing to distribute the material as it was an issue of free speech. Upon stating these words, the officer informed the OU staff person that a "car was being sent for and that you (the OU staff person was) to be arrested for counseling to commit an indictable offence and a trespass to property act notice is to be issued barring you from Front Street." The OU staff person was ordered to stay put to await the car.

At that time, the OU staff person told the officer that he was leaving to inform his place of work of the impending arrest and ensure the child under his care was safe. The OU staff person promptly returned.

The constable, after spending about half an hour on the cell phone, informed the OU staff person, and the owner of the cafe, that the matter will be investigated further and that an arrest will occur in "two to three days."

The Organic Underground intends to purchase further copies of the newspaper and continue distributing it.

Please contact the mayor of Belleville in defence of the Organic Underground and Free speech - (613) 968-6481