Police chief says department is investigating allegation
PHOENIX — A Casa Grande police officer threatened to arrest a group of demonstrators for waving a gay Pride flag, prompting an investigation by his superiors amid allegations that the officer violated the U.S. Constitution.
The incident happened Wednesday, April 15 when four members of a gay rights group began waving the large flag as part of a tax protest.
Organizer Christopher Hall says he checked first with a city official who said as long as they stayed at least five feet from the sidewalk they would be fine.
But a police officer soon approached and told Hall his group would be arrested if they didn’t stop waving the flag. Hall and the ACLU say that’s a First Amendment violation.
Casa Grande police Chief Robert Huddleston says the department is investigating.
Information from: The Arizona Republic, www.azcentral.com