Outrage building...
The peace-loving surf community was rocked to its core, last week, when footage emerged of a surfer being violently thrown to the sand in Belmar, New Jersey after failing to provide police with his “beach badge.” According to the Shore News Network, “The practice of charging for beach access in New Jersey dates back to the 1920s, with towns using the revenue to fund beach maintenance, safety measures, and public services. Despite legal challenges, the New Jersey Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of these fees, which have become a fixture in nearly all coastal communities.”
Surfing’s “almost George Floyd moment” quickly went viral, BeachGrit’s Giancarlo Guardascione describing the scene thusly, “The surfer appears to be calm and following orders. What happens next is a move only Conor McGregor could appreciate. A rear-naked choke with enough force to wrangle a Montana bison, thrown down face first to the sand like a beach pylon. It takes six officers to lead the dangerous surfer away.”
Receiving much blowback, the Belmar Police blew right back, Chief Tina Scott stating rules were followed to the letter as the surfer “was not arrested for not having a beach badge. He was arrested because he obstructed the officer’s investigation by refusing to give his identification or pedigree information.”
And also not voluntarily placing his hands behind his back when told.
Well, the police sneer did not close the books on the issue as a second surfer has now been arrested, in protest, and a petition is circulating online demanding the whole “beach badge” business be dropped. The brave dissident sits at the high tide line and just waits for the law to come down upon him. They do, carrying up the sand like a large Buddha figurine to a somewhat embarrassing miniature beach vehicle.
Most importantly, where do you stand on the issue of public protest? Are you the sort to get arrested for the sake of principle or… not?
More as the story develops.
