But don't worry, it's the "good" kind of heading to court, not the drunk driving/holding up a video store/punching someone kind.
Andrew Koenig, who played Boner on Growing Pains* (and is the son of Star Trek's Walter Koenig) was arrested and jailed for 10 hours for stepping in front of a Rose Parade float on New Year's Day. Koenig was protesting the treatment of people in Burma, and the float was a celebration of China and the upcoming summer Olympics. Koenig and his father even went there last year to investigate what is happening and to film some of it. A pre-trial hearing was held yesterday.
It could have been worse. He was first charged with "interfering with a special event" and could have gotten 6 months in jail and a $1000 fine, but officials reduced the charges to "walking between parade entries" (are those real laws on the books or did they make them up for this case?) Those charges don't include jail time and it's a small fine of $100. Koenig's lawyer is going to argue that his free speech rights were violated.
I wonder if Kirk Cameron is offering his support?
* Yes, I'm sure he now wants to be known for more than this role, but this is a TV blog, so...
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-04-2008 @ 3:28PM
Tom said...
Andrew portrayed the Joker in Sandy Collara's fan film "Batman - Dead End."
Ironically his portrayal was probably one of the closest to what comic fans would call the 'real thing.' (Excluding Heath Ledger of course, as we haven't seen his portrayal yet).
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3-04-2008 @ 3:43PM
creanium said...
Just being nitpicky here, but it's not the "Rose Bowl Parade", it's merely the "Rose Parade" or "Tournament of Roses Parade".
The "Rose Bowl" is the game.
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3-04-2008 @ 3:45PM
Bob Sassone said...
Ah, I guess that's what I get for hating both parades and football. I'll make the correction.
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3-04-2008 @ 9:39PM
Ann said...
Andrew's protest was to shed light on the persecuted people in Burma and to help the plight of millions of people who are persecuted by the PRC in China, Burma, Tibet and Darfur.
Andrew's speech and rights WERE VIOLATED by Pasadena's government officials.
Pasadena's Mayor Bill Bogaard should be ashamed of himself, realize the horrible message he is sending out by punishing a hero, drop the charges, and join the freedom fighters who seek basic human rights and religious freedom for all.
Go Andrew!
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3-05-2008 @ 8:27AM
Galley said...
Fight the good fight, Andrew!
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3-05-2008 @ 10:04AM
rick cokely said...
It blows my mind that we as Americans actually SUPPORT China! I don't get it, what happened to the days of the "Red Menace"? I'm only 30 years old and I still remember that China = Bad!
Whats worse is the very people that back in the early 80's that were screaming about how China was evil and will take over the world (Republicans) are now practically in bed with them. I say good for you Andrew and Walter, China is a terrible place full of human rights violations and a true patriotic American would recognize that China is a bigger and badder threat to America than any Muslim terrorist group.
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3-06-2008 @ 12:52AM
Phish said...
its good to see that not ALL americans are cowards, kow-towing to china because of cheap ass goods (greed!).
america is in a recession now because of all these cheap goods leading to massive consumerism.
china is one of the WORST human rights violaters, yet they get regular handjobs from the american government.
well now america has to wipe all that ejaculate off their hands!
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